76ers' Joel Embiid to undergo surgery in Houston after being diagnosed with appendicitis
Embiid just can't catch a break.
Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis, the team announced Thursday. Embiid will undergo surgery in Houston Thursday afternoon, per the team. The 76ers did not provide any additional details, but said that “further updates will be provided as appropriate.
” Philadelphia, who has already clinched a postseason spot in the play-in tournament, is set to play the Houston Rockets Thursday evening. pic. twitter.
com/n9IbD8CtJk — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 9, 2026 Earlier on Thursday, The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that Embiid had been feeling ill Thursday morning, and was receiving medical treatment as a result. Full recovery from an appendectomy, the surgery that removes an inflamed appendix, can take up to six weeks, per Cleveland Clinic . The 76ers have three games remaining in the regular season, including Thursday’s matchup against the Rockets, before the playoffs begin.
It’s the latest in a long history of medical issues for the 32-year-old Embiid, who has only played 38 games this season due to various injuries. Embiid started the season with a lengthy absence due to a knee injury , before missing time in February with a shin issue on top of his knee problems, and missed even more time last month with an oblique injury. This came after Embiid only played in 19 games last season, getting ruled out in February 2025 before undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery .