Apr 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
When it comes to playing in the postseason, Joel Embiid's body just isn't a willing participant.
The team announced just a short time ago that the star center was diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery this afternoon in Houston, where the team will play the Rockets tonight in a pivotal game for their postseason seeding.
The Sixers are currently the eighth seed in the East, a half a game behind the Orlando Magic and one full game behind the Toronto Raptors, who hold the sixth seed.
Embiid's playoff injuries have been common throughout his career. From knee ligament to two orbital fractures to bell's palsy and others, it is rare the former NBA MVP has gone through the postseason with good health. Now with this surgery today, whatever run the Sixers may have in the playoffs is most likely going to have to be done without Embiid, who averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season while dealing with knee, shin, oblique and illness problems.
After tonight, the Sixers play at Indiana tomorrow before finishing out the regular season on Sunday at home against Milwaukee. Should they need to participate in the Play-In Tournament, games will begin April 14. The first round of the playoffs would begin April 18.
