Joel Embiid Out for Game 1 as 76ers Face Celtics Sport By lines April 18, 2026 Joel Embiid’s abdominal injury will keep the 76ers center out of Game 1 on Sunday against Boston. The 76ers confirmed Embiid as out on the official NBA injury report. Philadelphia listed Embiid’s estimated return date as April 24. 76ers Face Boston Without Their Franchise Center Embiid appeared in just 38 of 82 regular-season games in 2025-26. The 76ers center underwent an appendectomy on April 9 following an appendicitis diagnosis. NBA injury analyst Joel Stotts places the average recovery time from appendix surgery at 23 days. That timeline gives Embiid a remote chance of returning during this series. Boston entered Game 1 as the Atlantic Division’s top seed at 56-26, holding home-court advantage through the full series. The Celtics opened as -800 moneyline favorites on DraftKings for Sunday’s game without Embiid in the lineup. Philadelphia’s scoring burden falls on Tyrese Maxey, who averaged 28.3 points per game in the regular season. Maxey also averaged 6.6 assists and 38.0 minutes per game in 2025-26. Johni Broome, listed as game-time doubtful with a knee injury, adds another frontcourt concern for Philadelphia. Boston’s Jaylen Brown averages 28.7 points per game and enters Game 1 as the top active scorer in this matchup. The 76ers carry a 45-37 regular-season record and the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference into Sunday’s game. Related Sports Coverage Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 1: Jokic Tests Edwards Lakers Host Rockets Game 1 With LeBron vs Durant Suns Rout Warriors 111-96, Curry Held to 17 Points Source: ESPN NBA Gamecast.
