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Joel Embiid says he couldn't walk in early April
Joel Embiid nearly dropped a triple-double in his return on Sunday, but the Philadelphia 76ers dropped Game 4 in blowout fashion.
When speaking to reporters after the game, Embiid reflected on his three-week absence. More specifically, the two-time scoring champion revealed that he experienced “complications in the recovery process” that hindered his performance tonight.
“It was tough because I had some complications after the surgery,” he told reporters.
“It’s been a lot. When it first started, I couldn’t walk. Even getting into the hospital. It was tough. But that’s life.”
Regarding which type of complications, the seven-time All-Star didn’t specify further.
“I don’t want to get into the detail.”
Joel Embiid missed the final two weeks of the 2025-26 regular season
Forced to undergo an emergency appendectomy on April 10, Embiid was sidelined for arguably the most important stretch of the season.
As rival teams refined their approach heading into the playoffs, Embiid dealt with limited mobility and a hospital visit.
Injuries have been a common theme for his career, but an emergency procedure is something no athlete can train to prevent.
After a two-week layoff, Embiid returned to practice last week. Sixers head coach noted that Embiid mainly did individual drills.
Miraculously, despite complications with his recovery, Embiid was able to return in Game 4 after a 20-day absence.
GettyJoel Embiid recorded a 26-point double-double in Game 4
Given how long it’s been since he played meaningful basketball, Embiid looked solid in his return at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Embiid flushed a dunk for his first basket and scored all of the Sixers initial eight points. In the opening quarter, he drew two fouls on Neemias Queta and converted all four of his free-throw attempts.
Still, there were some notable flaws to his game.
Defensively, his speed and explosiveness are practically sapped. Once a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Embiid is nowhere near as dominant now on that end of the floor.
Plus, his shooter’s touch was off tonight, as he missed several open jumpers.
Still, the Sixers star managed to stuff the stat sheet. He finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes.
He was one of four Sixers who scored double-digit points in Game 4.
GettyThe Philadelphia 76ers are on the brink of playoff elimination heading into Game 5 in Boston
After going winless in the two-game homestand, the Sixers are now on the brink of playoff elimination.
Unfortunately for Philly, history has not been kind to teams that fall behind 3-1 in a playoff series.
A team has fallen behind 3–1 in an NBA playoff series 299 times, including the Sixers’ current predicament.
Only 13 of those have turned into a 4–3 comeback.
Needless to say, for the Sixers to extend their season, they will need to be sharp in Game 5 at TD Garden.
Nick Nurse did not reveal whether Embiid will suit up next game, but the former MVP is expected to travel to Boston and play.
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
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