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• Updated May 6, 2026 at 7:27pm

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Joel Embiid missed the final two weeks of the 2025-26 regular season

The Philadelphia 76ers are playing Game 2 against the New York Knicks without Joel Embiid.

Although the Sixers’ initial report listed Embiid as questionable for the matchup, he was shockingly downgraded on the afternoon of the matchup. The star center was ruled out for a hip and ankle injury.

Before the game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse spoke on the situation and revealed Embiid’s reaction to the news that he would have to miss the second outing against the Knicks in the second round.

Nick Nurse Reveals Joel Embiid’s Reaction

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers pumps up the crowd during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

“He’s really disappointed,” Nurse said.

“He really wants to be out there. Coming back from that appendectomy so quickly was not easy for him to do. He has worked extremely hard to get back, and he continues to want to play badly. I feel really bad for him because he really wants to be out there, and we want him out there.”

Embiid missed the final three games of the regular season after undergoing surgery for appendicitis. He was also out for the NBA Play-In matchup and the first three games against the Boston Celtics in round one.

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 25: 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. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

When Embiid returned to the court for Game 4, he helped the Sixers rattle off three wins over the next four games to eliminate the second-seeded Celtics from the playoffs.

Embiid was cleared to play in Game 1 against the Knicks. While he didn’t note that he was dealing with any sort of setback after the Game 1 blowout loss, Embiid’s body reacted negatively to two different setbacks over the past day.

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“Our medical team and everybody just ruled him out,” Nurse finished. “He just couldn’t go. I just know that from his reaction, he was genuinely sad.”

The Sixers are reportedly moving forward with the idea that Embiid is day-to-day. Therefore, his status for Friday’s Game 3 action is up in the air.