Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been discharged from a Houston medical facility following successful appendix removal surgery, the franchise confirmed Friday. The seven-time All-Star is now heading back to Philadelphia to continue his recovery.
Team officials stated that Embiid’s post-surgery rehabilitation will be overseen by Philadelphia’s medical staff working alongside the surgeon who performed the operation. No specific date has been established for when the center will resume playing basketball.
The 76ers fell to the Houston Rockets 113-102 on Thursday night while playing without their star player, who had undergone the medical procedure earlier that same day at a Houston area hospital. Following the defeat, Philadelphia now holds a 43-37 record and shares the eighth playoff position with Charlotte, though the 76ers hold the advantage in tiebreaker scenarios.
Both Philadelphia and Charlotte trail seventh-place Orlando by one game, with the Magic sitting at 44-36. Toronto and Atlanta, each with 45-35 records, currently occupy the final two direct playoff berths, staying two games ahead of the 76ers. With just two contests remaining in the regular season, Philadelphia would secure a play-in tournament berth if they suffer one additional loss or if both the Hawks and Raptors each win once more.
The 32-year-old Embiid has posted averages of 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds across 38 games this season, starting in each appearance.
The former MVP from the 2022-23 campaign has compiled career statistics of 27.6 points and 10.8 rebounds over 490 games since Philadelphia selected him third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, starting every game of his professional career.
