76ers Get Surprising Joel Embiid Injury Update Just Before Game 2 vs Celtics

Joel Embiid watched from the bench as his Philadelphia 76ers were thoroughly defeated by the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon. 

The 76ers remain prohibitive underdogs in this first round series without Embiid. Although they have fared quite well after Paul George returned from suspension and with Tyrese Maxey’s continued star-level play, staying neck-to-neck with the Celtics is a tough ask for most teams. 

Philadelphia came out lacking intensity and energy — a literal death sentence for a road team in the playoffs. The TD Garden crowd wasn’t particularly merciful, either, to the hapless Sixers, who trailed by double-digits a few minutes into the first quarter.

Before Embiid was sidelined with an emergency appendectomy, there was hope the Sixers could continue turning the tide and make an improbable postseason. 

Embiid, 32, has dealt with an eclectic mix of injuries since entering the NBA back in 2014. 

This is the latest, and perhaps most threatening, setback.

Joel Embiid, 76ers Receive Timeline from Surgeon

On April 9, Embiid was suddenly diagnosed with appendicitis. It immediately threw a wrench in not just the Sixers’ season but Embiid’s career. 

After stringing together a pair of seasons with at least 65 games played in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Embiid has combined to appear in just 96 games in three years since. 

Although Embiid played just 38 games in the regular season, he scored 34 points on the road against the San Antonio Spurs on April 8 — the day before his season was halted. 

Embiid remains out indefinitely but has begun a strength and conditioning program in Philadelphia, according to reports. 

Embiid’s injury is clearly one not to take a risk with. The Sixers will certainly wait until the 32-year-old star big man is fully cleared to commit to basketball activities before bringing him back.

If the Sixers are able to pull off a major first round upset, there is a possibility Embiid makes his return this postseason, according to David Stein, a surgeon in chief at Temple University Hospital.

Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stein said there’s optimism Embiid can return sooner than later. 

“Usually, patients are out a month,” Stein told The Inquirer. “I’d hope maybe it’s not the full month, maybe he could come back a little sooner. But that’s a fan talking.”

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

76ers Should Feel Hopeful Over Star’s Recovery

Even if Embiid is unable to return to the Sixers this season — which may not even be possible if the team is ousted quickly — they should feel optimistic about his NBA future.

Embiid has clearly missed numerous games in his career. It may feel wrong-headed to think there can be any hope over his health. But Embiid’s appendicitis is an isolated situation, much different from the knees, ankles and elbows he’s often nursed over his 12-year career.

The harsh reality to all this is Embiid is 32 and counting. He wasn’t able to stay on the court consistently throughout his 20s. It would be borderline illogical to think he’ll play more games in a season as he heads toward his mid-30s. 

But the one goal right now is for Embiid to get through a complete rehab and prepare to play basketball again. 

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