Is Joel Embiid playing tonight? Explaining controversy around 76ers star’s status vs. Washington Wizards

Aprils Fools Day is the worst day in the sports world because you have to be really careful about trusting what you see on the internet. 

Players will post fake commitments to made-up schools, and minor league baseball teams will post fake identity changes. An NBA superstar was so surprised about being listed out on Wednesday that he called out the injury report as an April Fool's joke. 

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been listed as out on Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards due to an "illness." Given how public Embiid made his reaction on his X account, it seems like nobody from the 76ers' organization informed him of the decision.

There have been questions about injury report manipulation in the past, and from Embiid's very public reactions, it wouldn't be surprising to hear that the NBA looks into his absence in the coming days. 

Here is more on the controversy surrounding Embiid's status for Wednesday, April 1, against the Wizards. 

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Is Joel Embiid playing tonight? 

USA Today's Ky Carlin reported on Wednesday afternoon that Embiid would not be playing against the Wizards. Embiid was listed as "out" on the team's injury report as dealing with an illness. The center disagreed with the listing and took to social media to dispute the report, leading to the controversy. 

Tanking has been a huge topic of discussion this season, but this isn't an example of that. The 76ers head into the game against the Wizards with a 41-34 record, seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with just eight games left in the regular season. It could be a way for Philadelphia to sneak some extra rest for its star, but it feels weird that he seems completely in the dark about it. 

The 76ers' next game after Wednesday will be on Friday night back home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The expectation is that Embiid will suit up, but given his confusion about the absence on Wednesday, maybe he won't. 

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Joel Embiid responds to reporter

Embiid quote Carlin's post on X, with one of his own. The Philadelphia center said, "Must be APRIL FOOLS joke???? Played against Miami in the same conditions and I’m planning to play tonight!!! #SweatItOut"

Must be APRIL FOOLS joke???? Played against Miami in the same conditions and I’m planning to play tonight!!! #SweatItOut https://t.co/EAMq2679u2

The game against Miami that Embiid is referring to was held on Monday, March 30 in Miami. The Heat were victorious 119-109. Embiid claims that he was dealing with the same illness that day, despite not being listed on Monday's injury report. The Philadelphia center finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 34 minutes. He played the the third-most minutes among any of the 76ers in the game. 

Embiid didn't stop with one post. He took to X again and just sent out one sentence. "I guess they won't let me play basketball!!" 

I guess they won’t let me play basketball!!

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Joel Embiid injury update

Embiid played for Philadelphia on Monday against Miami. He was first included on the injury report for Wednesday's game against Washington earlier in the day. By the 5 p.m. ET injury report released by the NBA, the 76ers had officially listed him as out. Embiid contradicted the report that he was sick, saying he was dealing with the same symptoms in Monday's game and played through it. 

Assuming that Embiid is telling the truth, it seems like he will just miss Wednesday's game and should be back for Philadelphia's next game on Friday against Milwaukee. 

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Joel Embiid season stats 

Embiid has developed into one of the most injury-riddled players in the league, having played fewer than 40 games in each of the last two seasons. He has been able to suit up for only 36 games so far this year, and after missing Wednesday's game with an illness, he will only have the chance to play in seven more regular-season games. 

Here is a look at Embiid's per-game 2025-2026 season stats.