On Friday night, the Philadelphia 76ers wrapped up a back-to-back set against the Indiana Pacers on the road in Indiana.
As expected, the Sixersâ top star, Joel Embiid, did not suit up for the game. Ahead of the Sixersâ Friday night action against the Houston Rockets, Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis. He went in for surgery that afternoon.
Hours later, the Sixers confirmed that the surgery was successful. Late Friday afternoon, the Sixersâ center was released from the hospital, according to an official medical update from the 76ers.
âJoel Embiid was discharged from the hospital today following a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia,â the team announced. âEmbiidâs surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon. A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.â
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on 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)
Nick Nurse Addresses The State Of Joel Embiid
As the Sixers approached their matchup against the Pacers, the head coach Nick Nurse addressed the state of Embiid with reporters.
He didnât have any detailed updates, but shared a positive message with the masses.
via Tony East, Forbes: “All reports are good. Everything went good,” Nick Nurse says of Joel Embiid post surgery.
With just one more game left on the 2025-2026 schedule, Embiid wonât be facing the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, April 12. If the Sixers donât land a top-six seed in the NBA Playoffs, they would plan for a matchup in the NBA Play-In Tournament next week.
Although the Sixers havenât revealed a detailed recovery timeline for the star center, the assumption is that it would take at least multiple weeks for Embiid to recover. He is more than likely out for any Play-In action.
With Joel Embiidâs season ending as is, the star center finished with just 38 games played.
Embiid saw the court for 31.6 minutes per game throughout the year. He shot 48.9% from the field to average 26.9 points per game. He also posted averages of 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 20: Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse looks on during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center on December 20, 2024 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)
Who Could The Sixers Face Next Week?
With the Toronto Raptors falling short on Friday night, the Sixers still have a shot at the sixth seed, which is a three-way race between Philly, Toronto, and the Orlando Magic. Those two teams could be possible opponents in the tournament.
The Miami Heat were already a Play-In team, while the Charlotte Hornets guaranteed their spot with a loss against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
No matter what happens, the Sixers understand they will have to fight undermanned to punch their ticket to the postseason. If they canât get to the playoffs, it would mark the second season in a row they miss the postseason. That would be two out of three years of missing the playoffs during the Nick Nurse era.
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