Before the Philadelphia 76ers took on the Houston Rockets, the Sixers landed devastating news regarding the star center, Joel Embiid.
Seven hours before Thursday’s matchup in Houston, Texas, concluded, Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis. He was set to undergo surgery.
As the star center was in the hospital, the 76ers’ head coach, Nick Nurse, addressed reporters ahead of the action.
Nick Nurse Makes A Statement On Joel Embiid
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Washington Wizards during first half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“This timing seems difficult,” Nurse told reporters. “I mean, we had an unbelievable day as a team yesterday. I mean, we had a great practice and great film session, and we were getting up and down the court, and he was a part of all that. So it’s a little bit, you know, that’s what hits you a little bit in the stomach when you when you get that news.”
Lately, Embiid has been working his way back to being 100% after dealing with an oblique strain. That injury took him off the court for roughly one month.
Embiid returned for three games, starting on March 25. He missed the April 1 game against the Washington Wizards due to illness.
Although Embiid returned for the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 3, he was out on the second night of the back-to-back against the Detroit Pistons. Embiid returned to face the San Antonio Spurs.
The star center played for 39 minutes against the Spurs. He produced 34 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks in the 115-102 loss.
The Sixers had a major game against the Rockets on Friday. Unfortunately, Embiid was not able to play.
“We really want to have our thoughts and prayers with him that he gets through this surgery as healthy as possible, and it goes smooth and no complications, all those kind of things. And then when you shift over to our job side of it, we gotta, we gotta dig in and get to work,” Nurse finished.
The Sixers Dropped The Ball
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 14: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 14, 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 couldn’t survive Thursday’s action while missing Embiid.
After Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points on 9-20 shooting, and VJ Edgecombe racked up 21 points on 7-17 shooting, the 76ers fell short with a 113-102 loss. They dropped to 43-37 on the year.
With three losses in a row, the Sixers are on pace to notch a Play-In position. While they can feel good knowing Embiid’s procedure was complete and successful, the team understands they’ll be battling without him in the near future.
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