Hours before the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers met for the final time during the 2025-2026 NBA season, the head coach, Doc Rivers, was asked about his former center, Joel Embiid.
As a head coach with firsthand experience of dealing with the unfortunate concerns that have affected Embiid throughout his career, Rivers was once again in disbelief.
via Derek Bodner, PHLY: Doc Rivers, on Joel Embiid being sidelined with appendicitis: “It’s this time of year, right? … I feel bad, because I still believe…6 straight years [of not being healthy in the playoffs], and none of it is his fault. Stuff just happens. … You can’t make it up.”
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 1: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 1, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
This time around, it’s not an on-court injury that’s taking Joel Embiid out of the game. Last week, the star center was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent surgery before the Sixers’ road matchup against the Houston Rockets.
With that news, the Sixers realized that Embiid’s regular season had ended. The team had just two more games left on the schedule before the start of the postseason.
Joel Embiid Will Miss More Postseason Action For The 76ers
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a basket during the second half against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Sixers and the Orlando Magic will meet for an NBA Play-In Tournament game on Wednesday night. The chances of Embiid having a shot at playing are extremely low. The Sixers haven’t revealed a recovery timeline for Embiid just yet, but a potential playoff run would have his status up in the air.
During the 2021 NBA Playoffs (the first year under Rivers), the Sixers played without Embiid for one game. However, he battled a knee injury throughout the second round.
In the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Embiid suffered an orbital fracture, which caused him to miss two games against the Miami Heat. He played the final four games with a mask.
During the 2023 NBA Playoffs (Rivers’ final year in Philly), Embiid suffered a knee sprain. He missed the final game of the first-round series against the Brooklyn Nets, as well as Game 1 against the Boston Celtics in Round 2. The knee injury was a concern through the rest of the run.
Rivers’ replacement, Nick Nurse, hasn’t had it much better. Embiid was coming off a knee surgery in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He played in just 19 games in the following year, which contributed to the Sixers’ struggles. They missed the postseason in 2025.
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