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Maxey Leads Sixers Victory Amid Embiid's Surgery

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The Philadelphia 76ers lost 113-102 to the Houston Rockets on Thursday after star center Joel Embiid was ruled out on the afternoon of the game to undergo surgery for appendicitis. Embiid had been left off the injury report and was initially expected to play. Without him, Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 23 points on 9-for-20 shooting, VJ Edgecombe had 21 points in 40 minutes, Kelly Oubre scored 16 and Quentin Grimes added 20 off the bench. Paul George struggled in 24 minutes, finishing with seven points on 2-for-8 shooting, four rebounds and four turnovers. The loss left Philadelphia on a three-game skid and with a 43-37 record. The surgery news and the uninspired performance in Houston prompted strong reactions from Sixers fans online, who expressed frustration and concern about the team's postseason prospects. On Reddit, one user wrote, 'Done with the season... Embiid's done, every player looks checked out, so they're basically done at this point.' Other commenters described the team as 'headed nowhere' and called for changes to the coaching staff and front office, while some still held out limited optimism for play-in success and for watching Maxey and Edgecombe 'let it all out' if the team reaches the postseason.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Thursday: Joel Embiid diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent appendectomy.
Thursday (same day): Sixers, without Embiid, lost to the Houston Rockets 113-102, falling to 43-37.
Friday: Embiid was discharged from a Houston hospital and returned to Philadelphia.
Friday: Tyrese Maxey scored 32 as the Sixers beat the Indiana Pacers 105-94 in Indianapolis.
After Friday's game: Sixers moved to 44-37 with one regular-season game remaining; Embiid's postseason availability remained undetermined.

Why This Matters to You

Embiid's surgery and the Sixers' performance impact the team's postseason chances. If you're a fan, this could affect your viewing plans and emotional investment. Keep an eye on updates about Embiid's recovery and the team's strategy.

The Bottom Line

The Sixers are in a tough spot without Embiid, but players like Maxey are stepping up. It's a testing time for the team, and fans' reactions are mixed. If you're a Sixers supporter, it's worth forwarding this to fellow fans to keep them in the loop.