Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid is undergoing emergency surgery in Houston on Thursday after being diagnosed with appendicitis a few hours before the team was set to face the Rockets in a pivotal late regular-season clash.
The team announced Embiid's surgery a few hours after he was suddenly added to the injury report as being out with an illness ahead of Thursday's game -- one that the Sixers need to win as they fight to avoid the Eastern Conference play-in tournament next week.
It's unclear when Embiid would be able to return to the court.
"It is a tough blow," coach Nick Nurse said. "I think that the biggest thing right now is that Joel comes out of the surgery as best as possible and all that goes well. That's where most of my thoughts are right now."