{"id":712190,"date":"2026-04-17T04:16:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712190\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T04:16:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T04:16:53","slug":"nba-insider-drops-massive-joel-embiid-update-ahead-of-celtics-76ers-playoff-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712190\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Insider Drops Massive Joel Embiid Update Ahead Of Celtics-76ers Playoff Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the biggest question marks heading into the first-round playoff matchup between the Boston Celtics<\/a> and Philadelphia\u00a076ers is the status of Joel Embiid.<\/p>\n

The\u00a076ers center hasn’t played since April\u00a06 due to an ill-timed emergency appendectomy, missing the final three games of the regular season as well as Philadelphia’s Play-In Tournament victory<\/a> over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the\u00a076ers’ series against the Celtics doesn’t start until Sunday<\/a>, Embiid’s status remains in doubt, potentially leaving his team shorthanded for some or all of the series.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, NBA insider Shams Charania provided a big update and some clarity<\/a> on the former MVP.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shams:<\/p>\n

“Sixers are preparing for battle against the Celtics without Joel Embiid at least to start the series” pic.twitter.com\/sdeTQ3Jskk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Sixers are preparing for battle against the Celtics without Joel Embiid at least to start the series,” Charania said on ESPN. “He’s only a weekish removed from surgery for that appendicitis. And so, he’s very much in the recovery phase of this… This is a serious issue that Joel Embiid had a week ago. He’s still trying to recover.”<\/p>\n

Charanis added that Embiid still needs to rehab once he recovers, further delaying his potential return.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On a positive note, Charania said the seven-time All-Star was with the Sixers for the first time since his surgery during Wednesday’s win over the Magic, so he appears to be making progress.<\/p>\n

Time will tell if or when Embiid is able to return against Boston. But based on Charania’s update, it sounds like he’ll probably be unavailable for the start of the series<\/a> this weekend.<\/p>\n

More NBA:\u00a0Recent History Overwhelmingly Favors Celtics In Playoff Matchup Vs. 76ers<\/a><\/p>\n