In a career plagued by multiple injuries, Joel Embiid had to endure another major surgery this month, but on a body part that does not even have a function.

Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent successful surgery on April 10. Ahead of the most important game of the season against the Boston Celtics on April 27, the 32-year-old revealed the original symptoms he suffered before an emergency appendectomy.

"They had me try some food from Texas. Since they're from there. So, I thought it was, I guess, a stomach virus or something. So, I start feeling it during the game, and then the next day we have practice. I go to practice and have a good conversation with the team. So, you know, it was pretty bad," Embiid said, per PHLY Sixers on X.

"I got to the point where it was really bad, where it was like, ‘Alright, I don't know what a stomach virus is supposed to feel like, but yeah, something else is going on,’ and then that's when we had to go to the hospital, and that's when we found out that was going on." Embiid elaborated.

Embiid had played in 38 games before this surgery, averaging 26.9 points and 3.9 assists.

Thankfully for him, the 76ers had qualified for the NBA Playoffs during his absence, where they now face the task of overcoming the heavyweights, the Boston Celtics.

On Sunday, Philadelphia welcomed back Joel Embiid for Game 4 against the Celtics. Truth be told, the 32-year-old had no reason to return to the court so soon after a major surgery, which just highlights his innate resilience.

However, the 76ers massively underperformed even with Embiid’s inclusion, and the 18-time NBA champions took full advantage on the road.

Boston Celtics Spoil Joel Embiid's Return to the Starting Lineup

Celtics take a 3-1 lead over the 76ers after a comfortable 128-96 Game 4 win on Sunday night, and basically put the series to bed as the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown once again shone with 30 and 20 points each.

Almost three weeks after his surgery, Embiid deservedly received a roaring ovation in pregame introductions. He showed no signs of rust and was still quite clearly the best player on his team, scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes.

“You try to do the best job possible with the conditions,” Embiid said. “You've still got to go out there and try and play and win a basketball game. We didn't do that tonight. We didn't play well.”

It is seemingly looking like the search for his first NBA chip will continue after this season. But Embiid is not one to give up on the series, stating that he had no choice but to push through his latest postseason malady headed into Game 5 Tuesday night in Boston.

“You probably go through a couple of days where you feel bad for yourself,” Embiid said. “Then it's right back to it. Are you going to give up, or are you going to try and come back as early as possible?”

Do you think Joel Embiid will push the Philadelphia Sixers for a comeback against the mighty Celtics in the remaining three games?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy