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How much time could 76ers’ Joel Embiid miss after appendicitis diagnosis?
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- How much time could 76ers’ Joel Embiid miss after appendicitis diagnosis?
How much time could 76ers' Joel Embiid miss after appendicitis diagnosis? appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia 76ers could be without Joel Embiid for an extended period following a sudden appendicitis diagnosis, raising significant questions about his availability as the regular season winds down.
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Embiid is set to undergo surgery after the team confirmed the diagnosis ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Houston Rockets (50-29). Early indications suggest the absence will extend for multiple weeks, with the possibility that the 32-year-old center may not return this season.
Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice reported shortly after the news broke that recent NBA cases involving appendicitis point toward a multi-week recovery timeline , leaving Embiid's season in jeopardy.
The timing is a major setback for Philadelphia , which is in the middle of a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Embiid had been a central figure in the team's push, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.9% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range across 38 appearances. He logged 31.6 minutes per contest.
OG Anunoby precedent clouds 76ers' Joel Embiid return timeline
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Historical precedent further underscores the uncertainty surrounding his return . The Athletic's Law Murray pointed to OG Anunoby, who underwent an appendectomy late in the 2018-19 season and missed the entire postseason despite being available in a limited capacity by June.
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"OG Anunoby underwent an appendectomy on April 12, 2019. Three days after playing in Raptors regular season finale. He missed the entire postseason, though he was a DNP-CD beginning that June. He got a ring that spring. The head coach of the Raptors then is 76ers coach now"
Philadelphia enters Thursday's game with a 43-36 record, currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. The team is attempting to halt a two-game skid as it continues a three-game road trip following a 115-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
The Sixers remain within striking distance of climbing the standings. They trail the sixth-seeded Toronto Raptors (44-35) by one game and sit 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks (45-35) for the fifth seed.
Without Embiid, Philadelphia faces a difficult path forward. His absence removes the team's primary scoring option and defensive anchor at a critical juncture, leaving the organization to rely on its supporting cast as it fights to secure playoff positioning.
Related: 76ers' Joel Embiid to undergo surgery after appendicitis diagnosis
Related: Are Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey playing tonight? 76ers vs. Rockets injury report
