76ers center Joel Embiid undergoes emergency appendectomy in Houston
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HOUSTON — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis on Thursday after the condition was discovered only hours before the team’s game against the Houston Rockets.
The 32-year-old center was ruled out with an illness shortly before tipoff, and the club later confirmed he was in surgery at a Houston hospital. No timetable has been set for his return.
Embiid is averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in 38 appearances this season, a bounce-back campaign after knee issues limited him to 19 games last year. His absence comes as Philadelphia fights to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Entering Thursday, the 76ers were 43-36, trailing the sixth-place Toronto Raptors by one game with three contests remaining. Philadelphia closes the regular season Friday at Indiana and Sunday at Milwaukee. Both opponents are already focused on draft lottery positioning.
The Sixers have dealt with several key absences this season, including Paul George’s 25-game NBA suspension that ended recently. Embiid’s status now clouds Philadelphia’s postseason path; play-in matchups are scheduled for next Tuesday or Wednesday, with a final qualifier on Friday.
Source: ESPN
