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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to address appendicitis. The 76ers made two roster moves as a result.
Joel Embiid returned to the Philadelphia 76ers on Game 4 of their Round 1 matchup against the Boston Celtics. However, it was not a triumphant return for the former NBA MVP as the 76ers absorbed a 128-96 blowout against the Celtics to go down 3-1 in the series.
Embiid came back after a three-week recovery from an emergency appendectomy surgery, but his presence did not add much of an impact for the 76ers as the Celtics dominated the game.
After the loss, Embiid dodged a question about his relationship with 76ers’ President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, whom Embiid called out before his medical emergency for holding him out in a game against the Washington Wizards on April 1.
Instead of answering, Embiid emphasized that the team needs to focus on the playoff series.
The last time Embiid spoke in Philly, he was annoyed at Morey for not letting him play against the Wizards.
Today, he was asked about his relationship with management. Instead of answering, he spent 2 minutes talking about the keys to getting back in the series against Boston.
Earlier this month, Embiid told the media to question Morey for deciding not to let him play despite Embiid wanting to suit up in a game.
“I was pissed off,” Embiid said. “I wanted to play basketball. I wasn’t allowed to play basketball. So, this is more of a question for Daryl Morey.”
The team listed him out with an illness against the Wizards, but Embiid said he made it known that he is healthy enough to play the game.
Nevertheless, Embiid went on to miss three weeks a week later due to his appendicitis.
In Game 4 against the Celtics, Embiid had 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes in a losing effort.
GettyJoel Embiid opens up about his return.
Joel Embiid did not hold back on expressing what he felt after playing in Game 4 against the Celtics. Embiid said it was tough to return following a medical surgery, but he can only soldier through the pain to help the 76ers in the series.
“It’s tough. But you try to do the best job possible with the conditions,” Embiid said. “Still got to go out there and try to play well and win a basketball game and we didn’t do that tonight. We didn’t play well.”
Embiid first thought he was suffering from food poisoning, but when he rushed to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed him with appendicitis.
Embiid took over his starting center role in Game 4 from Adem Bona after being ruled available 30 minutes before the game.
However, the 76ers got outrebounded heavily in Game 4, 51-30. The 76ers also struggled from the 3-point line, shooting 30%.
GettyJoel Embiid refuses to give up
Joel Embiid does not want to lose hope in toppling the Boston Celtics despite a 3-1 disadvantage.
“Down 3-1, it’s been done before,” he said. “Getting one in Boston is going to be tough. That’s a really good team. We know what they do well, we know some of the mistakes we made tonight, so now it’s on us to try to figure out how to fix them.”
Philly both lost their home games this series after stealing one in Boston in Game 2. Game 5 is scheduled on Tuesday, April 28, on the Celtics’ home floor.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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