Michael Kaskey-Blomain•Add The Sporting News on GoogleFans in Philadelphia shouldn't hold their breath when it comes to seeing star center Joel Embiid out on the court for the team's first-round playoff matchup with the Boston Celtics. Embiid is currently recovering after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. He was ruled out of the first game of the series, and his status for the series as a whole remains unlikely. According to ESPN's Jorge Sedano, Embiid hasn't even started basketball activity on his road to return, which means he's a while away from game action. Joel Embiid hasn't started basketball activity and his status for this series looks unlikely, per @Sedano pic.twitter.com/swGGDy5p0r— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 19, 2026 This story will be updated. More Philadelphia 76ers news: LeBron James compares Philadelphia 76ers to popular comic book villainSpurs starter gives 76ers major backhanded compliment for releasing himFormer Philadelphia 76ers head coach headed to Basketball Hall of FamePhiladelphia 76ers star named one of the purest scorers in NBA historyFormer 76ers, Lakers center announces retirement from basketballENJOYED THIS STORY?Add Sporting News as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAdd as preferred source on GoogleMichael Kaskey-BlomainMichael Kaskey-Blomain is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an experienced sportswriter and media member with over a decade in the industry. He has covered the NBA and NFL for a variety of outlets, including CBS Sports, 247 Sports, FanSided and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Michael grew up just outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Philadelphia.