76ers' Joel Embiid to Undergo Appendicitis Surgery

Merlin sees Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery Thursday in Houston. He had already been ruled out for the game with an illness, and the Sixers will update his recovery timeline after the procedure. Embiid has fought injuries all season, with a minutes restriction, knee trouble and an oblique issue, and Coach Nick Nurse had hinted he was "nearing his return." When healthy he averages 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. Merlin warns the timing is cruel. Philadelphia sits 43-36 and eighth in the East, and Tyrese Maxey has kept the team alive. An appendectomy often heals quickly, but recovery can sap minutes and rhythm, so the Sixers will need others to protect the paint while they preserve their MVP for the postseason.