76ers provide no return timeline for Joel Embiid following appendectomy

The Philadelphia 76ers provided an update on Joel Embiid after the star center underwent an emergency appendectomy in Houston on Thursday. 

Here's the official statement from the team: 

Joel Embiid was discharged from the hospital today following a successful appendectomy and is returning to Philadelphia. Embiid’s surgical recovery will be managed by team physicians in consultation with his surgeon. A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined.

A couple of things stick out from this update. The first is that Embiid's surgery was successful, which is obviously good news. We wish the big fella a smooth and speedy recovery. 

Will we see Joel Embiid on the floor again this season? 

The second thing that sticks out from the update is the last time: "A timeline for return to basketball activities has not yet been determined." This isn't ideal for the Sixers given the timing of the the issue.

The Sixers only have one regular season game remaining and the Play-In Tournament, which Philadelphia is likely headed for, is mere days away.

Meanwhile, the start of the playoffs is just a week away, and the fact that a timetable hasn't even been established for Embiid casts doubt on his ability to return to game action any time in the near future. 

It's seems almost impossible that he'd be ready for the Play-In Tournament, and very unlikely that he'd be ready for the start of the playoffs, should the Sixers make it. Perhaps if the team is able to stay alive in the postseason for a while Embiid could return, but their ability to do so without the services of the star center are slim. 

So while we would love to be wrong, it feels like there's a very good chance that we've already seen the last of Embiid on a basketball court this season. 

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