Embiid to have appendicitis surgery

Embiid, who was already ruled out for Thursday's game against the Rockets, last played Monday against the Spurs, recording 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. The Cameroonian big man has been limited to just 38 games this season due to knee and oblique injuries, averaging 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

His absence jeopardizes the 76ers' playoff hopes as they entered Thursday as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, just 0.5 games back of the Orlando Magic. Philadelphia can finish anywhere from fifth to ninth with three games remaining, still pursuing an eighth consecutive playoff appearance and aiming to advance beyond the second round for the first time since 2001.