Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Skip Bayless makes a very controversial claim about Joel Embiid's health

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Apr 16, 2026 12:24 AM ET

Skip Bayless is sparking controversy this week with his assertion about Joel Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers star center Embiid was inactive for Wednesday’s Eastern Conference 7/8 play-in game against the Orlando Magic, which Philly won. Embiid had a recent bout with appendicitis that continues to keep him sidelined.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, though, Bayless made a bombshell claim about Embiid. Appearing on Gilbert Arenas’ “Gil’s Arena” show, Bayless said that Embiid was actually cleared to play in Wednesday’s game but chose not to.

“Embiid is actually cleared to play but chose not to play,” said Bayless. “[I was told] that it’s appendicitis but it’s fine and went well. These days they can just go in quickly and pretty simply. And he could play if he chose to. So, now that’s like turmoil, locker room kind of turmoil [in Philadelphia].”

Skip Bayless says he has a source in Philadelphia that said Joel Embiid is cleared to play, but chosen not to:

“That’s what I was told. That it’s appendicitis but it’s fine and went well these days they can just go quickly and pretty simply. And he could play if he chose to. So,… pic.twitter.com/tG9wWlJ8g8
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 15, 2026

Bayless’ claim is extremely far-fetched given the medical realities of appendicitis. Embiid underwent an emergency appendectomy less than a week ago and is thus still well within the general 1-to-3-week recovery timetable for such a procedure (especially when it comes to returning to high-level basketball).

On top of that, Embiid’s trainer Drew Hanlen proceeded to rip Bayless over the “100% false” claim about Embiid.

“To set the record straight, this is 100% false,” Hanlen posted on X. “Nothing worse than when media members make up s–t for clicks & views then hide behind unnamed ‘sources'” (profanity edited by LBS).

Embiid obviously does not have the best reputation when it comes to health and even had his former head coach recently drop a brutal comment about Embiid’s continued unavailability. But for Bayless to claim that Embiid was somehow cleared for full-speed game action just six days after an emergency appendectomy is dubious at best.

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

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