![\"Joel](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2267831284_64fe31-e1776334953605.jpg\")
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Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n
There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding Joel Embiid\u2019s status for the upcoming Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> vs. Boston Celtics<\/a> first-round playoff series after the 2023 NBA MVP underwent a successful appendectomy last Thursday.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a> noted that Embiid was in the early stages of his recovery from surgery and would need a separate physical rehab before being cleared for basketball activities. While the report ruled out Embiid for Wednesday\u2019s play-in game \u2014 in which the Sixers beat the Orlando Magic<\/a> \u2014 there was no concrete update on whether the star center would play in a potential first-round playoff series.<\/p>\n For what it\u2019s worth, the average recovery timeline for an appendectomy is two to five weeks, depending on the severity of the situation.<\/p>\n Will Joel Embiid Play Vs. Celtics?<\/p>\n Amid the uncertainty, veteran analyst Skip Bayless reported this week that Embiid had already been cleared by the 76ers\u2019 medical staff but was hesitant to play basketball.<\/p>\n \u201cI got a pretty good source in Philadelphia, who told me that Embiid is actually cleared to play, but has chosen not to play,\u201d Bayless said on the \u201cGil\u2019s Arena\u201d<\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I was told,\u201d Bayles added.<\/p>\n \u201cThat it\u2019s appendicitis, but it\u2019s fine and went well.\u00a0 These days, they can just go quickly\u2026 He could play if he chose to. So, now that\u2019s like turmoil, locker room kind of turmoil.\u201d<\/p>\n Skip Bayless says he has a source in Philadelphia that said Joel Embiid is cleared to play, but chosen not to:<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I was told. That it\u2019s appendicitis but it\u2019s fine and went well these days they can just go quickly and pretty simply. And he could play if he chose to. So, <\/p>\n Drew Hanlen, Embiid\u2019s trainer, strongly refuted the report.<\/p>\n \u201cTo set the record straight, this is 100% false,\u201d Hanlen wrote on X.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNothing worse than when media members make up s**t for clicks & views then hide behind unnamed \u201csources.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n Joel Embiid Returns to Bench<\/p>\n Embiid, who played in 38 regular-season games before his abdominal issue, was on the bench for Wednesday\u2019s play-in win against the Magic<\/a>, marking the first time he was around his teammates after post-surgery.<\/p>\n Tyrese Maxey<\/a> was thrilled to have his co-star in the huddle, calling it \u201ca huge lift\u201d for his team ahead of the playoff series against the Celtics.<\/p>\n \u201cHuge man, huge,\u201d Maxey said of Embiid returning to the bench, via ClutchPoints.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cKyle called me two days ago, so Monday, he called me. He said, \u2018Man, what do you think about Joel coming to the game?\u2019 Like it would just be a huge lift. I\u2019m like, \u2018Yeah, I mean, if he can, he\u2019s up to it.\u2019 And we didn\u2019t even ask him, I said, \u2018Just if he can, he will.\u2019 And he was there, you know what I mean?<\/p>\n \u201cI talked to him via phone, and I was surprised to see him there. Gave him a big hug. I was glad to see him, and his spirits are high, so we\u2019re happy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Game of the Celtics vs. 76ers series tips off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.<\/p>\n If Embiid isn\u2019t cleared to play, Adem Bona<\/a> and Andre Drummond will continue to hold down the fort for the 76ers. In Wednesday\u2019s win, they combined for 16 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSai Mohan<\/a> covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. 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