Joel Embiid undergoes successful appendectomy surgery in Texas, Sixers say

Joel Embiid underwent successful appendectomy surgery Thursday in Texas, the Philadelphia 76ers said.

Embiid was previously ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Houston Rockets because of an illness. A couple of hours later, the team announced Embiid was diagnosed with appendicitis and required surgery.

The Sixers will provide further updates on Embiid's status when available, the team said.

Appendicitis happens when the appendix gets "clogged, infected and inflamed," according to the Cleveland Clinic. Surgery to remove the appendix is the standard treatment. 

Embiid has played in 38 games this season, averaging 26.9 points and 3.9 assists.

Embiid's appendicitis diagnosis comes as the Sixers make a playoff push with three games left in the regular season.

The Sixers are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, which would put them in the NBA play-in tournament. 

The Sixers are one game back of the No. 6 seed Toronto Raptors, who play the Miami Heat Thursday night. Philadelphia is also a half-game back of the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic. 

If the Sixers are able to win out, they could earn the No. 6 seed and make the playoffs, but they would need help from teams playing the Raptors and Magic along the way. 

Without Embiid, the Sixers are likely looking at a spot in the play-in tournament. Depending on where they finish, that could mean potentially playing two play-in games to make the playoffs. 

The appendicitis diagnosis is also the latest medical hurdle Embiid will need to overcome in his career. Over the years, he's dealt with meniscus injuries, multiple orbital bone fractures, Bell's palsy and much more.