{"id":713924,"date":"2026-04-19T13:15:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T13:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/713924\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T13:15:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T13:15:27","slug":"will-joel-embiid-play-in-2026-nba-playoffs-latest-injury-updates-for-celtics-vs-76ers-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/713924\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Joel Embiid Play in 2026 NBA Playoffs? Latest Injury Updates for Celtics vs. 76ers Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Celtics<\/a> and 76ers prepare to add another chapter to their rivalry, one question is hanging over the first-round series: Will Joel Embiid be available for Philadelphia?<\/p>\n

The former NBA MVP remains sidelined after he was diagnosed with appendicitis\u00a0on April 9. He underwent emergency surgery in Houston before a road game against the Rockets, and he missed the final three games of the regular season as well as the 76ers’ win over the Magic in the Play-In Tournament.<\/p>\n

Here are the latest updates on Embiid’s status.<\/p>\n

Will Joel Embiid play vs. Celtics in 2026 NBA Playoffs?<\/p>\n

Embiid is listed as out on the Sixers’ official injury report (post appendectomy surgery recovery), so he will not play in Game 1 against the Celtics.<\/p>\n

“I’m preparing for Sunday’s game, and I know he’s not playing in that one,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said<\/a>. “So, that’s all. We’re just, like, zeroed in on trying to see, can we go in there and get ready to battle and fight and execute as best we can?”<\/p>\n

While Philadelphia hasn’t released a full recovery timeline, a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania suggested that Embiid may be sidelined for multiple games.<\/p>\n

“He’s very much in the recovery phase of this,” Charania said. “Once you recover, then you have to have a separate rehab part of the process as well. So, this is a serious issue that Joel Embiid had a week ago. He’s still trying to recover.”<\/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

With Embiid out of the rotation, the 76ers will lean on the center duo of Andre Drummond and Adem Bona. In Philly’s Play-In Tournament victory, Bona was part of the starting lineup, but he only played 16 minutes. Drummond made a huge impact off the bench, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 31 minutes.<\/p>\n

Joel Embiid stats2025-26 regular season stats (38 games)26.9\u00a0points per game7.7 rebounds per game3.9\u00a0assists per game1.2\u00a0blocks per game2.9\u00a0turnovers per game31.6\u00a0minutes per game48.9\u00a0percent shooting33.3\u00a0percent 3-point shooting85.4\u00a0percent free throw shootingPlayoff career stats (59 games)24.9\u00a0points per game10.9\u00a0rebounds per game3.1\u00a0assists per game1.7\u00a0blocks per game3.7\u00a0turnovers per game35.3\u00a0minutes per game45.9\u00a0percent shooting28.9\u00a0percent 3-point shooting82.8\u00a0percent free throw shootingCeltics vs. 76ers scheduleDateGameTime (ET)TV\/Live streamApril 19Game 1: 76ers\u00a0vs. Celtics1 p.m.ABC,\u00a0ESPN app<\/a>,\u00a0DIRECTV<\/a>April 21Game 2:\u00a076ers\u00a0vs. Celtics7 p.m.Peacock<\/a>April 24Game 3: Celtics vs. 76ers7 p.m.Prime Video<\/a>April 26Game 4: Celtics vs. 76ers7 p.m.NBC, Peacock, DIRECTVApril 28Game 5*:\u00a076ers\u00a0vs. CelticsTBDTBDApril 30Game 6*: Celtics vs. 76ersTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*:\u00a076ers\u00a0vs. CelticsTBDTBD<\/p>\n

*If necessary<\/p>\n

More Celtics<\/p>\n