76ers star Joel Embiid to undergo surgery for appendicitis

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is ready to endure surgical procedure after being identified with appendicitis Thursday afternoon, in line with multiple reports.

The 76ers dominated Embiid out for Thursday evening’s matchup in opposition to the Rockets with an sickness. It’s not instantly clear how lengthy Embiid shall be out.

With 5 video games remaining, the 76ers are in seventh place within the Jap Convention. The Celtics, who’re the No. 2 seed, may presumably play the 76ers within the first spherical of the playoffs.

Boston’s first-round opponent would be the winner of the No. 7-seed vs. the No. 8 seed within the play-in match. If the season ended right this moment, that will be both Philadelphia or Orlando. The Celtics beat the Magic within the first spherical final yr earlier than falling to the Knicks.

These standings may shift. Philadelphia is a sport again of Toronto for the No. 6 seed. The 76ers would keep away from the play-in match — and certain a first-round date with the Celtics if they’ll get the No. 6 seed.

Charlotte, in ninth place, is only a half sport again of Philadelphia. The winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 sport goes to the opposite aspect of the bracket to face top-seeded Detroit.

Embiid has performed in 38 video games this season. The final time he performed greater than 40 video games in a season was again in 2023.

The Sixers simply acquired Paul George again from his 25-game suspension over using a banned substance late final month. Now, there’s an opportunity they may very well be with out Embiid with the postseason shortly approaching.

Embiid is averaging 26.9 factors, 7.7 rebounds, and three.9 assists per sport this season.

The Celtics and 76ers have break up the four-game regular-season collection. Three of the video games had been determined by two factors or much less. Boston beat Philadelphia by 16 the final time they performed on March 1.

Embiid missed two of these video games. He scored 4 factors on 1-for-9 taking pictures within the season opener, and he had a 20-point, six rebound outing on Oct. 31.

The regular-season concludes on April 12. The Play-In Match shall be performed from April 14-17.

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the crew in 2022, Khari coated school soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.