Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid out indefinitely due to appendicitis

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 6:20 PM ET

The Philadelphia 76ers are now likely to play the NBA play-in tournament without star big man Joel Embiid.

Hours before Thursday’s game against the Houston Rockets, it was reported that Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy as he was diagnosed with appendicitis.

76ers star Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery this afternoon in Houston.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2026

The 76ers then announced that Embiid would undergo surgery on Thursday in Houston, but they didn’t give an initial timeframe for his absence.

pic.twitter.com/n9IbD8CtJk
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 9, 2026

It remains to be seen how long Embiid will be out, but Sam Amico of Hoops Wire mentioned that Matthew Delavedova and Nikola Mirotic each missed five to six weeks after undergoing the appendectomy. Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby didn’t return to action after undergoing such a procedure in April 2019.

Embiid, who has dealt with plenty of injuries during his career, was just finding his rhythm with the playoffs right around the corner.

On Monday night, Embiid scored 34 points with 12 rebounds and four blocks in a 115-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The 76ers entered Thursday with a 43-36 record, which has them at 8th in the Eastern Conference with just a few games left.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: