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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.

The Philadelphia 76ers will begin their first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics on Sunday without star center Joel Embiid.

After undergoing a successful appendectomy last Thursday, Embiid shocked his Sixers teammates by joining them on the bench for Tuesday’s play-in win against the Orlando Magic. However, he is reportedly nowhere near a return to the court. Per Sixers beat writer Kyle Neubeck, Embiid has yet to practice with his teammates since his surgery.

“Johni Broome was a full participant in today’s practice for the Sixers. No updates on Joel Embiid,” Neubeck wrote on X after Saturday’s practice session.

Joel Embiid Return Timeline

In the past, the average recovery timeline for NBA players after an appendectomy has been two to five weeks, and Embiid underwent surgery on April 9. The 76ers vs. Celtics series will run through May 2 (Game 7 if necessary). As such, there’s still an outside chance that Embiid could join his teammates in these playoffs.

The 76ers — who’ve dealt with injuries all season — have listed only Embiid on their injury report for Game 1 against the Celtics.

On Saturday, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was asked whether he was preparing for the series against the Celtics under the assumption that Embiid would not return.

“You know what? I’m preparing for Sunday’s game and I know he’s not playing in that one,” Nurse said in response to a question from Sixers beat writer Dave Uram.

“That’s all. We’re just zeroed in on trying to see, can we go [to Boston] and get ready to battle and fight and execute as best we can.”

76ers vs Celtics Playoff Series

Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, is expected to be on the sidelines again for Sunday’s Game 1 against the Celtics. When he made a surprise appearance in the play-in game, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey called it a “huge lift” for his team heading into the playoffs.

“Huge man, huge,” Maxey said of Embiid returning to the bench, via ClutchPoints.

“Kyle called me two days ago, so Monday, he called me. He said, ‘Man, what do you think about Joel coming to the game?’ Like it would just be a huge lift. I’m like, ‘Yeah, I mean, if he can, he’s up to it.’ And we didn’t even ask him, I said, ‘Just if he can, he will.’ And he was there, you know what I mean?

“I talked to him via phone, and I was surprised to see him there. Gave him a big hug. I was glad to see him, and his spirits are high, so we’re happy for him.”

Even with a healthy Embiid, the Sixers were the underdogs against a Celtics team that went 18-7 over their last 25 regular-season games. With Jayson Tatum nearly back to his pre-injury self, the Celtics have emerged as the overwhelming favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals and have the third-shortest odds to win it all.

The Celtics enter Sunday’s Game 1 at home as massive 11.5-point favorites.