No return timeline for 76ers’ Joel Embiid (appendix) after hospital release

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was released from the hospital Friday after undergoing a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia, the team announced.

The team added that Embiid's surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon and a timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.

The 76ers lost 113-102 at Houston on Thursday without Embiid, who had the procedure earlier in the day in a Houston hospital. With the loss, Philadelphia (43-37) is tied with Charlotte for the eighth seed, although the 76ers own the tiebreaker.

Both teams are one game back of seventh-place Orlando (44-36) and two back of Toronto and Atlanta (45-35) who currently possess the final two playoff spots. With two games left, one more loss or one win by both the Hawks and Raptors would clinch a play-in tournament spot for Philadelphia.

Embiid, 32, is averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in 38 games (all starts) this season.

The 2022-23 MVP and a seven-time All-Star, Embiid is averaging 27.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in 490 career games (all starts) since being selected by Philadelphia with the third overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.