Joel Embiid had emergency appendicitis surgery in Houston on Thursday after calling the team at 3 AM feeling sick.

Joel Embiid underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis in Houston on Thursday. He called the Sixers' training staff at 3 AM feeling sick, was rushed to the hospital, and went under the knife shortly after. Recovery from an appendectomy is typically 3 or more weeks.

The timing could not be worse. Philadelphia is fighting for a play-in spot with the regular season ending today. Embiid's absence leaves a massive hole in the middle of the Sixers' lineup at the most critical point of the season.

This is the latest in a long line of untimely Embiid absences, but this one is different — appendicitis is a medical emergency, not a recurring injury. The Sixers now have to navigate the play-in tournament and potentially the first round without their franchise player. It's a nightmare scenario for a team that was already on the bubble.