Sixers’ Joel Embiid discharged from hospital following surgery

Joel Embiid was discharged from a Houston hospital on Friday and is returning to Philadelphia following his appendectomy, the Sixers announced.

Embiid, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, was diagnosed with appendicitis Thursday and underwent the surgery later that day. The Sixers said Embiid’s recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon, and that a timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.

That still puts Embiid’s availability for the postseason in doubt. The Sixers (43-37) enter Friday in eighth place in the crowded Eastern Conference standings with two games to play, which would place them in the Play-In Tournament to try to advance to a first-round series. The Sixers have the same record as the ninth-place Charlotte Hornets, but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Both teams are one game back of the seventh-place Orlando Magic (44-36).

» READ MORE: Another lost postseason for Joel Embiid, but it doesn’t change much for the Sixers

This is the latest health-affected season for Embiid, who returned March 25 from an oblique strain that kept him sidelined for about a month. He also has dealt with a shin stress reaction and issues with both knees this season. He has averaged 26.9 points on 48.9% shooting, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in the 38 games.

Cameron Payne will be waived by the Sixers, while Dalen Terry’s two-way contract will be converted to a standard deal, a league source confirmed to The Inquirer Friday afternoon.

Payne, a veteran point guard, was sidelined with a hamstring strain sustained during last Saturday’s home loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Sixers said when announcing his diagnosis Sunday that he would be reevaluated in approximately two weeks.

» READ MORE: The Sixers must prepare to move forward without Joel Embiid — again. This is how they’ll need to adjust.

Payne, who returned to the Sixers in February after beginning the season playing in Serbia, averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 assists, two rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 17 minutes of 22 games. He was added to the roster after the Sixers dealt guards Jared McCain and Eric Gordon at the trade deadline but did not acquire any players in return.

Though Payne’s rotation minutes had dwindled as the Sixers have returned to full health, he has been an experienced ballhandling option behind All-Star Tyrese Maxey and standout rookie VJ Edgecombe.

Terry, a fourth-year guard, was signed to a two-way contract with the Sixers in February. He has averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 13 appearances. Signing a standard contract would make Terry eligible to play during the postseason.