Joel Embiid’s reputation for poorly-timed injuries might wind up being his legacy, whether fair or not.
Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers weighed in on Embiid’s latest health issue on Sunday. Rivers, who coached Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2020-2023, reacted to Embiid’s appendicitis by essentially saying these things always happen to the star center around playoff time.
“It’s this time of year, right?” Rivers said.
Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid’s appendicitis: “It’s this time of year, right?”
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) April 12, 2026
Rivers mentioned never having Embiid healthy in the playoffs and said none of Embiid’s late-season ailments haven’t been his fault.
“Appendicitis. I mean, you can't make it up. You really can't.”
Rivers made it clear that none of Embiid’s late-season injuries were his fault, and he certainly is not blaming Embiid for it. However, there is no doubt that Embiid has broken down a lot late in seasons, though there was hardly anything he could have done to prevent this latest malady.
Embiid battled through a meniscus tear in 2021, a thumb injury in 2022, and a knee sprain in 2023. Rivers never had him at full strength in the playoffs, but that has hardly been an issue unique to Rivers.
