Sixers' Playoff Hopes Hinge on Season Finale Against Bucks

Philadelphia must defeat Milwaukee to clinch a playoff spot, but will be without star center Joel Embiid.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:19am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes representing the action on the court, conveying the high-stakes tension of the Sixers' playoff push.The Sixers' playoff hopes hang in the balance as they face the Bucks in a high-stakes regular-season finale without their star center Joel Embiid.Houston Today

The Philadelphia 76ers enter their regular-season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance. The Sixers, currently holding the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, need a win over the Bucks to secure a playoff spot. However, they will be without their star center Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an appendectomy. The Sixers have handled the Bucks well this season, winning all three of their meetings, but will need a strong performance from Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the team to overcome Embiid's absence.

Why it matters

The Sixers' playoff hopes are on the line in this game, as a win would secure them a spot in the postseason, while a loss would likely send them to the Play-In tournament. Embiid's absence is a significant blow, as he is the team's leading scorer and the focal point of their offense. The Sixers will need to find a way to win without their star player, which could have major implications for their playoff seeding and potential postseason run.

The details

The Sixers announced that Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9 in Houston and was discharged on April 14. His timetable to return is still to be determined. In Embiid's absence, the Sixers have struggled, relying heavily on Tyrese Maxey to carry the offense. Maxey has been dealing with a strained tendon in his right pinky, which has affected his shooting and overall performance since returning from the injury. The Sixers will also be without Johni Broome, who is still rehabilitating from a partial meniscectomy on his right knee.

  • The Sixers' regular-season finale against the Bucks is on Sunday, April 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
  • Embiid underwent an appendectomy on April 9, 2026 in Houston and was discharged on April 14, 2026.

The players

Joel Embiid

The Sixers' star center, who is the team's leading scorer and the focal point of their offense. Embiid is recovering from an appendectomy and will miss the regular-season finale against the Bucks.

Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers' starting point guard, who has been carrying the team's offense in Embiid's absence. Maxey is dealing with a strained tendon in his right pinky, which has affected his shooting and overall performance since returning from the injury.

Johni Broome

A Sixers player who is still rehabilitating from a partial meniscectomy on his right knee and will miss the regular-season finale.

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What they’re saying

“'The finger is a little funny, you know what I'm saying? So I kind of look a little timid, but I don't have time to be timid right now. My teammates need me. I had a talk with [Sixers player development coach Toure' Murry]. I just got to go out there and do it.'”

— Tyrese Maxey, Sixers Player

What’s next

The Sixers' playoff fate will be determined by the outcome of their regular-season finale against the Bucks on Sunday. If they win, they will secure a playoff spot, but a loss would likely send them to the Play-In tournament.

The takeaway

The Sixers' playoff hopes rest heavily on their ability to win without their star center Joel Embiid, who is recovering from an appendectomy. The team will need a strong performance from Tyrese Maxey and the rest of the roster to overcome Embiid's absence and clinch a playoff spot in the regular-season finale against the Bucks.