Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo emergency surgery on Thursday.
Embiid was a late addition to the injury report for Thursday’s road game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. He was listed as “out” with an illness and was diagnosed with appendicitis a few hours before the game.
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Sixers reporter Tony Jones of The Athletic said Embiid complained of “intense stomach pain” early Thursday. The team then determined he needed emergency surgery in Houston.
The Sixers did not announce a return timetable for Embiid, but said, “further updates will be provided as appropriate.” According to Jones, the average recovery time is 10 to 14 days.
Entering Thursday, the Sixers are No. 8 in the Eastern Conference with a 43-36 record. They could finish as high as fifth and as low as 10th.
Aside from Joel Embiid, here are other NBA stars who had appendicitis during a season.
Three NBA stars who also battled appendicitis during a season
#1 OG Anunoby
Current New York Knicks star OG Anunoby is among the most recent players to with appendicitis. He underwent an emergency appendectomy in April 2019, which caused him to miss the majority of the Toronto Raptors’ championship run. He was cleared to play after about a month.
Analyst Jeff Stotts wrote on X that the average missed time for appendicitis with an in-season surgery is approximately 23 days, with about 10 games missed.
#2 Grant Hill
Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill battled several injuries throughout his legendary 19-year NBA career from 1994 to 2003. In 2008, while playing for the Phoenix Suns, Hill underwent an emergency appendectomy. He returned to the court after a two-week absence and contributed to the Suns’ playoff run.
#3 Andrea Bargnani
Former NBA big man Andrea Bargnani also underwent an emergency appendectomy during his rookie season in 2006-07. He experienced illness and immediately had surgery. He recovered after about a month and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Other former NBA players who had appendicitis were Trey Lyles and Tyler Zeller. Lyles underwent an appendectomy in July 2020 and missed the NBA bubble during the 2019-20 season. Zeller, meanwhile, underwent emergency appendectomy in October 2013 and recovered in time for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season opener late in the same month.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
