Embiid Returns After Surgery, But Insufficient as Celtics Rout 76ers to Take Lead
NBA Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid returned to action after appendectomy, scoring 26 points, but it was not enough to stop the Boston Celtics' overwhelming offensive, leading to a 96-128 loss. The 76ers are now down 1-3 in the series and on the brink of elimination. Embiid has been plagued by injuries this season, significantly reducing his playing time.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 13:13
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 13:31 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 02:35 (13h 3m after Collected)
Philadelphia, April 26 (CNA) Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid returned today, scoring 26 points, but despite his courageous effort just 17 days after an appendectomy, the 76ers were unable to withstand the comprehensive offensive of the Boston Celtics. The 76ers are now down 1-3 in the series and on the brink of elimination.
According to an Associated Press report, Embiid battled through injury for 34 minutes in this game, tallying 26 points and 10 rebounds. However, it was insufficient to counter the opponent's multi-faceted attack. The Celtics ultimately secured a commanding 128-96 victory over Philadelphia, taking an absolute 3-1 lead in the first round of the series.
Embiid received a warm ovation from the home crowd during pre-game introductions. Today marked his first appearance since April 6. He quickly scored shortly after the game began, opening the team's scoring with two free throws, followed by a two-handed dunk, personally accounting for the team's first 8 points.
However, after a strong start, Embiid's touch cooled off, missing seven consecutive shots at one point. He didn't complete a three-point play until the third quarter, which only narrowed the 76ers' deficit to 23 points.
Earlier in the day, Embiid was listed as 'doubtful to play' before being upgraded to 'probable to play' 90 minutes before tip-off, and was cleared to play approximately 40 minutes before the game. He wore protective gear on his abdomen during the game.
Embiid, 32, has played in only 19 games this season, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged a career-high 33.1 points and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. However, since then, he has played fewer than 40 regular-season games each season.
Embiid underwent an appendectomy in Houston on April 9, after suffering from acute appendicitis overnight.
The Celtics achieved a 32-point victory in the first game of the series. The 76ers, however, secured a surprising 111-97 road victory in Game 2. In Game 3, Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers scored 31 points, leading the team to a brief lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took over, and the Celtics won 108-100.
In Game 4, Embiid started alongside Maxey, rookie V. J. Edgecombe, Paul George, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Embiid missed the play-in game against the Orlando Magic and the first three games against the Celtics, continuing his trend of frequent playoff injuries.
In 2024, Embiid suffered from Bell's palsy during the playoffs, experiencing symptoms like blurred vision and dry eyes. He wore sunglasses at a press conference after scoring 50 points in Game 3 against the New York Knicks.
The year before, he missed one game in each of two series due to a right knee sprain.
In 2022, under 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, the team achieved 51 wins and was well-positioned for advancement, but Embiid was struck in the face by Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, suffering an orbital bone fracture, a concussion, and a torn ligament in his right thumb. He missed two games in the second-round series against the Miami Heat, and the 76ers were ultimately eliminated 2-4. (Edited by Chu Hsiang-ping) 1150427
According to an Associated Press report, Embiid battled through injury for 34 minutes in this game, tallying 26 points and 10 rebounds. However, it was insufficient to counter the opponent's multi-faceted attack. The Celtics ultimately secured a commanding 128-96 victory over Philadelphia, taking an absolute 3-1 lead in the first round of the series.
Embiid received a warm ovation from the home crowd during pre-game introductions. Today marked his first appearance since April 6. He quickly scored shortly after the game began, opening the team's scoring with two free throws, followed by a two-handed dunk, personally accounting for the team's first 8 points.
However, after a strong start, Embiid's touch cooled off, missing seven consecutive shots at one point. He didn't complete a three-point play until the third quarter, which only narrowed the 76ers' deficit to 23 points.
Earlier in the day, Embiid was listed as 'doubtful to play' before being upgraded to 'probable to play' 90 minutes before tip-off, and was cleared to play approximately 40 minutes before the game. He wore protective gear on his abdomen during the game.
Embiid, 32, has played in only 19 games this season, averaging 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged a career-high 33.1 points and won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. However, since then, he has played fewer than 40 regular-season games each season.
Embiid underwent an appendectomy in Houston on April 9, after suffering from acute appendicitis overnight.
The Celtics achieved a 32-point victory in the first game of the series. The 76ers, however, secured a surprising 111-97 road victory in Game 2. In Game 3, Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers scored 31 points, leading the team to a brief lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took over, and the Celtics won 108-100.
In Game 4, Embiid started alongside Maxey, rookie V. J. Edgecombe, Paul George, and Kelly Oubre Jr. Embiid missed the play-in game against the Orlando Magic and the first three games against the Celtics, continuing his trend of frequent playoff injuries.
In 2024, Embiid suffered from Bell's palsy during the playoffs, experiencing symptoms like blurred vision and dry eyes. He wore sunglasses at a press conference after scoring 50 points in Game 3 against the New York Knicks.
The year before, he missed one game in each of two series due to a right knee sprain.
In 2022, under 76ers head coach Doc Rivers, the team achieved 51 wins and was well-positioned for advancement, but Embiid was struck in the face by Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, suffering an orbital bone fracture, a concussion, and a torn ligament in his right thumb. He missed two games in the second-round series against the Miami Heat, and the 76ers were ultimately eliminated 2-4. (Edited by Chu Hsiang-ping) 1150427