Joel Embiid's 76ers coaches gives thoughts on unfortunate appendectomy

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers received some awful news on Thursday before a matchup with the Houston Rockets. Star big man Joel Embiid was ruled out with an illness, and after receiving some medical attention, it proved to be something very serious.

Embiid had appendicitis and had to quickly undergo an appendectomy in Houston that day. Since then, Embiid is back in Philadelphia after being discharged from the hospital and such, but there is no timeline for the big fella to return to basketball activities.

Embiid's current coach, Nick Nurse, expressed his empathy for Embiid as he has to battle his way through yet another unfortunate and tough situation after having to just get his knees healthy and battle through a right oblique strain.

"Extremely tough," Nurse said of Embiid. "I think, first of all, pretty serious, right? I think that’s the big thing you gotta keep in mind, but obviously, the timing’s not great. I think he was on an uptick as far as where he was going playing-wise and all that kind of stuff. So, it’s all a big bummer for him, first, and then everything else."

The Sixers play host to the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season finale on Sunday, who are coached by Embiid's former coach of three years, Doc Rivers. The big fella won an MVP award under Rivers in 2023, but also suffered his fair share of injuries while Rivers was in Philadelphia.

"I feel bad because I still believe had we had one healthy year, probably more the first year and the last year, we would’ve advanced," Rivers said. "I hate saying that, but I think it’s pretty obvious we would have. What was I here, three years? In none of the playoffs since then, I don’t think any of the playoffs he’s been healthy. That’s six straight years and none of it is his fault. It just happens."

Embiid has worked his tail off to be in the best shape and be there for the Sixers on a nightly basis, but his body just continues to betray him. At this stage, the big fella is just continuing to deal with an unfortunate injury.

"When I was here, we did everything right, we thought to keep him healthy," Rivers finished. "I know Nick has done the same things since we talk, and what the hell. Appendicitis? I mean, you can’t make it up. You really can’t and like I said the last time. If you just watch him play and work, man. I don’t think people realize—obviously, he won MVP—but how talented he is. And to not be healthy, you’re not winning. You’re just not. You’re not winning without health."

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Joel Embiid's 76ers coaches gives thoughts on unfortunate appendectomy