Embiid Is Out After Emergency Appendix Surgery — Sixers' Playoff Hopes Rest on Maxey

Joel Embiid is done. The Sixers big man underwent emergency appendectomy surgery this week, leaving Philadelphia's already slim playoff hopes in the hands of Tyrese Maxey. And Maxey delivered — 32 points to power a 105-94 win over the Pacers on Friday that keeps the Sixers alive heading into the final day.

The math is simple but brutal: Philadelphia needs to win on Sunday AND have both Toronto and Orlando lose. That's the only path to the 7-seed that avoids the Play-In altogether. Any other combination, and the Sixers are either in the Play-In or out entirely.

This has been the story of Philly's season — Embiid can't stay healthy, and Maxey keeps willing this team forward anyway. Whether it's enough to actually make the playoffs remains to be seen. Sunday will decide everything.