After returning from an emergency appendectomy earlier in the series, he looked dominant in Philadelphia’s Game 5 win, finishing with 33 points and eight assists to help them avoid elimination and cut Boston’s lead to 3-2.

His health remains one of the biggest storylines of the postseason, but the former MVP showed few signs of slowing down in Game 5, controlling the paint and creating opportunities for Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.

How long was Joel Embiid out for?

Joel Embiid missed a little over two weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy earlier this month. He returned just 17 days after surgery, an unusually quick comeback for a player dealing with an appendectomy.

The 76ers superstar was sidelined after experiencing severe abdominal pain during the final stretch of the regular season, forcing him to undergo surgery and miss the beginning of the playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

He returned in Game 4 despite still recovering physically, immediately giving Philadelphia a major boost. In his first game back, he posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, although the Sixers still fell to Boston.

Two days later, he looked much closer to his dominant self in Game 5, finishing with 33 points and eight assists to help the team extend the series. They have continued listing him on the injury report while monitoring his conditioning.

How has Joel Embiid performed this season?

Joel Embiid has once again performed at an All-NBA level during the 2025-26 season. The center averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting nearly 49% from the field during the regular season.

His ability to dominate in the post, draw fouls and create scoring chances for teammates continued to make him one of the most difficult matchups in the NBA. The Sixers relied heavily on his inside presence throughout the year.

He has also shown his importance during the Celtics series. Philadelphia struggled offensively while he was sidelined, but his return changed the tone. In Game 5, he controlled the tempo offensively and helped the Sixers outscore Boston decisively in the fourth quarter to avoid elimination.

Philadelphia 76ers’ next games

The Philadelphia 76ers will face the Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Thursday at 8 PM ET with their season on the line. Boston currently leads the first-round series 3-2 after Philadelphia’s Game 5 victory at TD Garden.

If the Sixers win Game 6 at home, the series will move back to Boston for a decisive Game 7 this weekend. If the Celtics win, Philadelphia’s season will come to an end in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The upcoming schedule for Philadelphia is:

• Game 6 vs. Boston Celtics — Thursday, April 30
• Potential Game 7 at Boston Celtics — Saturday, May 2 (if necessary)

“I have to apologize to the Philadelphia 76ers for thinking the series was over after Game 4,” Johnson posted on X. “The 76ers beat the Celtics and were led by the dominant inside play of Joel Embiid, he had 33 points and 8 assists!”

Along with his apology, Johnson was quick to credit the resilience shown by Nick Nurse’s squad against the Celtics on Tuesday night. With the season on the line, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George provided the elite supporting cast Embiid needed to keep the Sixers’ hopes alive.

Now, the focus shifts back to Broad Street. Maxey sent a clear message to the Philly faithful: they aren’t just looking to compete in Game 6, they’re looking to win. A victory at home would push this series to a do-or-die Game 7 with a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals on the line.

Nurse’s game plan draws High praise

While Embiid provided the firepower, Johnson was quick to credit head coach Nick Nurse for outmaneuvering the Celtics‘ coaching staff. Facing a hostile Boston crowd and a championship-caliber roster, Nurse’s defensive adjustments kept the Celtics off-balance all night.

“My hat goes off to 76ers Coach Nick Nurse, who had an awesome game plan and had his team believing that they could beat the Celtics on the road in Boston!” Johnson added.

Embiid focused on the mission

For a franchise that has been haunted by second-round exits in recent years, this victory feels like a potential turning point. However, despite the momentum shift and the high-profile apologies, Embiid remains locked in.

“I want to do anything I can to win a basketball game,” Embiid said. “I just want to enjoy this moment, being a part of this basketball team that’s trying to accomplish something. I just want to play basketball.“

The series now shifts back to South Philly for Game 6. For the Sixers, the goal is simple: close it out at home and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

He returned in Game 4 after recovering from an appendectomy and immediately re-entered a heavy-minute role, but the team approaches Game 5 with cautious optimism as the injury report remains the final checkpoint before tip-off.

If the star center is cleared to play, Philadelphia regains its focal point on both ends of the floor—but even then, the challenge remains steep. Boston’s depth and execution have forced the Sixers into late-game desperation.

When was Joel Embiid ruled out?

Joel Embiid was ruled out after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 9, 2026, which sidelined him for the early games of the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

The 76ers confirmed that he required surgery during the team’s road trip, forcing him to miss multiple postseason games as he recovered. According to game-day reports, he was initially listed as out for Games 1 and 2, with his status remaining uncertain through most of the first-round matchup.

His return timeline was gradual, moving from “doubtful” to “questionable” before he was surprisingly upgraded ahead of Game 4. That marked his first appearance back on the floor just 17 days after surgery.

How has Joel Embiid performed in the 2026 season?

Joel Embiid has remained one of the NBA’s most productive centers, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. His scoring efficiency also remained strong, shooting nearly 49% from the field during the regular season.

His impact was immediately noticeable when he returned for Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. Even after missing playoff action, he posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in 34 minutes during Philadelphia’s loss.

The biggest concern surrounding him this season has not been production, but durability. Philadelphia has consistently managed his workload throughout the year, including strict minute restrictions early in the campaign and periodic absences tied to knee and abdominal issues.

Why do the 76ers have to beat the Celtics no matter what?

The Philadelphia 76ers must beat the Boston Celtics in Game 5 because another loss would eliminate them from the NBA Playoffs. The series currently stands at 3-1 in favor of the Joe Mazzulla‘s team after they 128-96 victory in Game 4.

Boston has controlled the matchup through elite perimeter shooting, rebounding dominance, and roster depth. In Game 4 alone, the Celtics hit a franchise playoff-record 24 three-pointers and outrebounded Philadelphia 51-30.

For Philadelphia, the situation is simple: win and force a Game 6 back home, or lose and see the season end immediately. The pressure surrounding Game 5 is intensified by uncertainty around Embiid’s health and growing questions about the long-term direction of the franchise if another early playoff exit becomes official.

The status of star center Joel Embiid continues to be a major storyline in the series between Philadelphia and Boston. For what it is worth, Embiid was originally listed as doubtful (now available) due to post-appendectomy recovery, which has kept him out since April 9 for Game 3, before ultimately being ruled out of the NBA game.

The good news, Kelly Oubre is now listed as available on the Philadelphia injury report for the fourth game. As Embiid has been upgraded as available before the tip-off.

The uncomfortable position of the 76ers

After dropping Game 3 at home to the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers look to bounce back in Game 4 on Sunday night. With a win, the Sixers would tie the series at two games apiece, but with a loss, they would fall behind 3-1, which is a difficult position to recover from.

However, they have already stolen a game at TD Garden, so they cannot be counted out. They have exceeded expectations so far for this team, and, without a doubt, beyond young players like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the veterans can decide games, like Joel Embiid or Paul George.

In Friday’s loss to the Celtics, Tyrese Maxey led the way for the 76ers as he recorded 31 points, four rebounds, and six assists while Paul George added 18 points and five assists of his own.

How the Celtics arrive

On the other side, Boston enters Sunday’s contest with a 2-1 series lead after defeating the 76ers on the road in Game 3 on Friday night. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics in Friday’s victory as he finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, while Jaylen Brown recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

The last time Joel Embiid and Paul George played together was not long ago, as it happened earlier this same NBA season. Their most recent appearance came on January 22, 2026, in an overtime win against the Houston Rockets, 128-122.

It was a game where both made an impact. Paul George recorded 10 points in 37 minutes, along with six rebounds and four assists, while Joel Embiid finished with a triple-double, posting 32 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, showing how important they are for the 76ers.

Embiid injury update

The 76ers have been without Joel Embiid for the past 12 games as he has been dealing with a right oblique injury. Before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, head coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid participated in an on-court workout after shootaround as he continues his recovery.

Embiid’s season was impacted by injury. He has been limited to 33 games, averaging a little over 31 minutes per game. The last time he played was on Feb. 26 in a win against the Miami Heat, when he recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one steal.

He has been averaging 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 blocks, with shooting splits of 49.5 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three-point range and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Paul George suspension

The 76ers have also been without Paul George, who received a 25-game suspension for violating NBA rules. At the time, the league announced, “forward Paul George has been suspended without pay for 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA NBPA Anti-Drug Program.”

It was a significant blow for Philadelphia, especially as he had been finding rhythm during the season. The nine-time All Star, in his 16th season, was averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists through 27 games.

The former MVP-winning center has missed half the campaign and is currently nursing an oblique strain. He is still at least a week away from returning to the court, according to PhillyVoice reporter Adam Aaronson.

Embiid has started individualized strength and conditioning work, but it remains to be seen when he will take part in on-court drills. The 76ers will reevaluate their injury-ravaged big man and hope to receive positive updates in the coming days.

Embiid has dealt with health issues throughout his career. This oblique injury appears to be relatively minor, but having to continue missing games due to physical discomfort, especially when he was regaining his rhythm and establishing a high level of play, can be unsettling.

Another bad news for the 76ers

In addition, standout rookie VJ Edgecombe did not practice due to the back injury he suffered on Tuesday. His status for Saturday’s road game against the Atlanta Hawks remains uncertain. Fortunately, veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr. returned to action after missing the last two games because of illness and is expected to play at State Farm Arena.

Philadelphia (34-28) has experienced ups and downs throughout the NBA season, but this is not the ideal moment to face major adversity. Nick Nurse’s team is holding on to the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference, doing everything they can to keep the Orlando Magic, the Miami Heat and the surging Charlotte Hornets behind them.

With Paul George serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA anti-drug policy, the 76ers are even more in need of a healthy No. 21. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey will continue taking on the responsibility and carrying the team.

While the current unit has built modest momentum, putting together a small winning streak, the approaching trade deadline threatens to disrupt that progress. Embiid addressed the situation after a recent game, subtly sending a message to the 76ers’ front office about the importance of keeping the core intact as the franchise pushes forward.

“Obviously, we’ve been ducking the tax the last couple of years,” Embiid said. “So hopefully we’ll keep the same team. I love all the guys who are in here. I think we’ve got a shot.” His comments reflected both confidence in the locker room and a desire for stability as Philadelphia aims to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Embiid added regarding potential deadline moves. “But I hope that we’ll get a chance just to go out and compete because we’ve got a good group of guys in this locker room, the vibes are great. Hopefully we think about improving the team at the deadline, because we got a chance.”

Last game for the 76ers

The 76ers recorded a hard-fought 113–111 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, powered by standout performances from Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. With the victory, Philadelphia improved to a 26–21 record and climbed to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, reinforcing the idea that the team is trending in the right direction.

The win over Sacramento served as evidence of the 76ers’ ability to compete under pressure. Even though the Kings have struggled for consistency in the NBA Western Conference, Philadelphia showed resilience and composure in crucial stretches of the game.

After a shaky close to the third quarter, Tyrese Maxey finished with 40 points and eight assists on 12-of-18 shooting, while Joel Embiid added 37 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. Their combined effort ultimately secured the victory and highlighted why the 76ers remain a dangerous team when their stars perform at an elite level.

On one side, 76ers star Joel Embiid is listed as available for Monday night’s matchup against the Pacers. Embiid, who has appeared in three straight games, continues to see his minutes and workload managed as the 76ers prioritize keeping him healthy for the postseason, a cautious approach given his injury history.

In addition to Embiid, the 76ers will be without Paul George, who is listed as out. The veteran guard is dealing with left knee injury management and is not suiting up tonight, which would represent another significant setback for Philadelphia.

Joel Embiid’s numbers

The former NBA MVP has appeared in 22 games this season and is averaging 24.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 25.3 percent from three-point range.

Embiid has looked much closer to his usual scoring form this month, averaging 26.3 points per game while shooting 53.2 percent from the field across eight contests, providing optimism for Philadelphia moving forward.

How the 76ers and Pacers arrive

In Friday’s loss to the Cavaliers, Embiid led the 76ers with 33 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Tyrese Maxey added 22 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in the defeat.

On the other side, Indiana enters Monday’s contest with a 10-33 record after losing on the road to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. Jarace Walker paced the Pacers with 13 points and five rebounds, while Tony Bradley contributed 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.

The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have their franchise center available as they close out a five-game road trip on Saturday night. According to NBA Underdog, Philadelphia now lists Joel Embiid as available to play, a positive sign as they prepare to face the Knicks in New York.

On the Knicks side, Karl-Anthony Towns appears on the injury report and will now be updated to play for Saturday night. His final status could play a significant role in determining the flow and outcome of the matchup, especially against a Philadelphia frontcourt anchored by Embiid.

The Knicks enter the game with a 23-11 record and sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers, who hold an 18-14 mark, occupy fifth place in the East and look to secure a road victory that would further strengthen their position in the standings.

Knicks injury report

New York lists three players on the injury report, with Towns being the most notable name. Josh Hart is ruled out, which removes an important defensive presence and rebounder from the Knicks‘ rotation.

• Karl-Anthony Towns, illness, questionable
• Josh Hart, right ankle sprain, out
• Landry Shamet, right shoulder sprain, out

76ers injury report

Philadelphia also lists five players on their injury report, with Embiid drawing the most attention. Embiid last played in Thursday’s 123-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks, where he finished with 22 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one block while shooting efficiently from the field.

• Joel Embiid, right knee injury management, probable
• Kelly Oubre Jr., left knee sprain, out
• Trenton Watford, left adductor strain, out
• MarJon Beauchamp, G League two-way, out
• Johni Broome, G League assignment, out

Joel Embiid numbers this season

Across 15 games this NBA season, Embiid is averaging 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. His rebounding rate sits at a career low, and his shooting efficiency has dipped compared to previous seasons, including 44.1 percent from the field and 23.9 percent from three-point range, as he continues to work back into full rhythm.

Speaking with the Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers’ franchise center reflected on his physical progress as he worked his way back into form following another disrupted start to the campaign. Embiid acknowledged that the process had been gradual but encouraging.

“I feel like I’m getting back to myself,” Embiid said. “Taking what the defense gives me. Physically, I think where I feel it the most is defensively. I’m getting back to that level of just moving my feet, blocking shots, and being that defensive presence.” Those comments came at a pivotal moment for both Embiid and the 76ers, who had spent weeks managing his workload and rebuilding chemistry.

Embiid feels closer to his prime

Philadelphia was beginning to see clear signs that its anchor was rounding into shape on both ends of the floor, particularly on defense, where Embiid’s presence has long defined the team’s ceiling and identity.

“If you want to talk about feeling like myself, two years ago, when I felt like I reached that peak level, every time I stepped on the court, I felt like I could score 40 or 50 every single night,” Embiid said. “I can be more aggressive, but I feel like I’m also smarter.”

Embiid’s path back had been shaped by multiple physical setbacks. Knee and ankle issues earlier in the season limited his availability, prompting Philadelphia to take a cautious approach that prioritized long-term health over short-term urgency.

Embiid’s numbers this season

Statistically, Embiid had started the NBA season slowly by his own standards. He was averaging 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 23.9 percent from three, numbers that reflected the time he needed to regain conditioning and timing.

Still, flashes of his dominance were beginning to reappear. In the win over the Mavericks, Embiid finished with 22 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one block in 35 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the floor while anchoring the defense, a performance that underscored why the 76ers believed his best basketball was still ahead.

According to the latest official NBA injury report for Friday, December 26, the 76ers have listed Joel Embiid as questionable due to right knee injury management for tonight’s matchup in Chicago.

The 2022-23 MVP is coming off a productive but harrowing performance in Tuesday’s 114-106 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Embiid logged 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists, but gave Philadelphia fans a scare when he went down in the third quarter with an apparent knee injury. Although he briefly retreated to the locker room, he eventually returned to finish the contest.

Following the game, the big man provided a cautious but optimistic update on his condition. “Just hyperextended it. Went to the locker room, then they checked it out. We’ll see how it feels,” Embiid told reporters, via Sports Illustrated. Despite the scare, he noted a general improvement in his physical state.

“Feels good. I’m starting to feel better, obviously… but I feel like, body-wise, some of the main issues coming into the season, my body feels pretty good. I’m moving much better. Offensively and defensively, I’m able to trust myself even more. So I think now the next step is just being consistent, as far as getting game action, and I’ll be back to myself,” he added.

Complete injury report for both teams

Philadelphia enters the United Center with several other rotation questions. Along with Embiid, the Sixers have listed VJ Edgecombe, Dominick Barlow, and Quentin Grimes as questionable as they continue to recover from a lingering illness that forced them to miss Tuesday’s game. Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Trendon Watford (adductor) have both been ruled out.

The Bulls, meanwhile, enter the matchup in hot form, riding a four-game winning streak. Their injury report is relatively clean: Noa Essengue is out following shoulder surgery, while Patrick Williams is considered questionable due to illness.