As the Philadelphia 76ers go to work against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the team is missing its star center, Joel Embiid.
When the Sixers were wrapping up the final week of the 2025-2026 NBA season, Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis. The star center was rushed into surgery, which immediately placed his postseason status in question.
As expected, Embiid missed the final three games of the regular season. He was ruled out for the lone Play-In game against the Orlando Magic and was inactive for Game 1 on Sunday, April 19.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 22: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
When Sixers head coach Nick Nurse addressed reporters earlier this week, he made it clear that Embiid doesn’t have a sure timeline right now. The team knew that he was out for the first game, and that was all that could be said.
Before Game 1 tipped off, ESPN’s Jorge Sedano offered an update on the broadcast.
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GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Onyeka Okongwu #17 and Keaton Wallace #2 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on November 30, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“It doesn’t look like we’ll see him anytime soon because he’s still dealing with the recovery from that surgery,” Sedano said on the broadcast.
“When we asked him about a potential return during this series, he said we’re not ruling it out, but again, this is something that is still sort of touch-and-go. He hasn’t even started basketball activity.”
With or without Embiid in the lineup, the Sixers would have their hands full against a talented and seasoned Boston Celtics team. The fact that the seven-time All-Star could miss some–or all of the four to seven games–could put the Sixers under the kind of pressure that they can’t handle.
Since the start of the Embiid era, the Sixers have failed to take down Boston in the playoffs each time. Being the seventh seed in this series, the Sixers aren’t in the best shape to pull off a difficult upset.
There’s no guarantee that Embiid’s presence would change their chances for the better, but they might not even get a chance to find out if that’s the case or not.