10:03pm: Embiid had been diagnosed with a sinus fracture, according to the Sixers, who say he’ll be evaluated further this weekend and his status will be updated as appropriate (Twitter link via Neubeck).
9:50pm: Sixers center Joel Embiid exited Friday’s loss to Indiana just before halftime after being struck in the face by Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin and didn’t return in the second half, per The Associated Press.
Mathurin and Embiid were battling for a rebound under the Sixers’ basket when Mathurin’s left forearm and elbow made hard contact with the the right side of Embiid’s face and the bridge of his nose (Twitter video link via Bleacher Report). He fell to the floor and held his face in pain for a few moments before walking to the locker room.
The Sixers announced at the start of the third quarter that Embiid had been ruled out for the rest of the night and would undergo further testing to assess the severity of the injury, per Derek Bodner of PHLY Sports (Twitter links). As Bodner observes, The former MVP has a history of facial injuries, having sustained orbital bone fractures on both the left side of his face (in 2018) and the right side (in 2022). He also dealt with Bell’s palsy during last season’s playoffs.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters after the game that Embiid was still being tested to determine whether there are any fractures in the area where he was hit (Twitter link via Bodner). Even if X-rays come back clean, Embiid could end up in the NBA’s concussion protocol, meaning he’d have to pass a series of tests before being cleared to return to action, Bodner tweets.
Friday’s contest was just the sixth of 23 Sixers games that Embiid has played this season. He has missed time due to left knee swelling and was also suspended three games for a locker room run-in with a reporter.
Philadelphia will be back in action on Monday in Charlotte, then won’t play again until hosting the Hornets next Friday, so if Embiid’s injury turns out to be minor, he’ll have plenty of recovery time in the next week. The 76ers figure to provide an update on his status at some point this weekend.
Sixers guard Jared McCain also suffered an apparent head injury when he hit his head on the floor during the second half on Friday, but he cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and was able to return to the game (Twitter link via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports).
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2023 NBA MVP
he deserved that mvp, but this is getting out of hand lol
Joker deserved that MVP, not Embiid.
why didnt embiid deserve that mvp?
Daisy please
*Jokic and Embiid deserved it
While I agree that this is unfortunate news for him. I believe this is a blessing for him so that he does not have to work hard this season thinking on how to miss more games.
Convuluted?
He cried for yrs for that. Deserved it though.
This guy posted the same thing when Kobe blew out his Achilles
2025 first protected 1-6 or Thunder are adding more good young talent….oh dear. Tank time yet?
Mr Glass strikes again. Jesus he’s MUSH
Nonsense
Chandler Parsons Award nominee
More load management then.
Trust the process
I still don’t get. Why he was allowed to play in Olympics. Then he’s not in shape for season. Then he’s hurt again. Now needs load management.
Why would you get PG when your leader doesn’t even want to play. Trade him now. Move on. Sixers get a haul in return.
The problem is Philly already sold fools gold they overpaid once before in tricking Brooklyn to take and pay Simmons to sit. Now that they paid Embiid even more for longer they’re stuck with him. They should trade George for anything and even Maxey if they can get a big enough haul of picks. The team has no chance this year and they should commit to tanking.
Who would want him, that would be able to match salary and all that? I know, trade him for Ben Simmons!
I’m no expert on nba trade or salary cap but I doubt they’d get a haul when the dude has that kind of injury history, and has barely played this season. Wouldn’t the acquiring team want him for a playoff run this season, not hope he comes back next year (or the year after that)?
Bundy you are dismissed
Blazers or pacers.
Agree you are no expert.
There are 56 gms left. And teams who think they are a player or two away. His injury status is not shutting him down for season. It’s his head.
Injuries have plagued him his entire career. His head has been causing more issues recently. Do the Knicks want a guy like that if they’re serious about making a run this year, and giving up a haul to get him?
Get the Dream mask and play ball
“Ow! My nose!”- Marcia Brady
Hey, at least we got to see him play for a few minutes.
I wonder if Embiid was from Europe instead of Africa would y’all still hate him so much? Lol just playing we obv don’t have to wonder.
Here we go…
Being a sook, flopper and excuse maker has absolutely nothing to do with country of origin or your skin.
Wemby is from Europe and they love him more than Jokic. Not even the real NBA haters bring it up as much as you do
Just get sent to Portland at this point…
Isnt this the same things girls say who want nose jobs?
Hawks should go after Embiid …. Trae and Embiid make a serious duo …….