Embiid to undergo surgery for appendicitis

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid will undergo surgery for appendicitis Thursday, the team announced.

Embiid wasn't included on the team's initial injury report for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets before being scratched from the lineup unexpectedly.

The former MVP has appeared in only 38 games this season. Availability has been a concern throughout his career; Embiid, whom Philadelphia drafted in 2014, has missed at least 20 contests in all but four seasons.

However, the seven-time All-Star has been one of the sport's most unstoppable players when healthy. He led the NBA in scoring in back-to-back seasons from 2021-23, averaging 31.8 points in 134 games over that span.

The 32-year-old is recording 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

The 76ers (43-36) have guaranteed at least a play-in berth this year. They rank eighth in the Eastern Conference and are one game behind the Toronto Raptors, who occupy the sixth seed.