10:03pm: Embiid had been identified with a sinus fracture, based on the Sixers, who say he’ll be evaluated additional this weekend and his standing might be up to date as acceptable (Twitter hyperlink through Neubeck).
9:50pm: Sixers middle Joel Embiid exited Friday’s loss to Indiana simply earlier than halftime after being struck within the face by Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin and didn’t return within the second half, per The Associated Press.
Mathurin and Embiid had been battling for a rebound underneath the Sixers’ basket when Mathurin’s left forearm and elbow made laborious contact with the the fitting aspect of Embiid’s face and the bridge of his nostril (Twitter video hyperlink through Bleacher Report). He fell to the ground and held his face in ache for a number of moments earlier than strolling to the locker room.
The Sixers introduced firstly of the third quarter that Embiid had been dominated out for the remainder of the evening and would endure additional testing to evaluate the severity of the harm, per Derek Bodner of The Athletic (Twitter hyperlinks). As Bodner observes, The former MVP has a historical past of facial accidents, having sustained orbital bone fractures on each the left aspect of his face (in 2018) and the fitting aspect (in 2022). He additionally handled Bell’s palsy throughout final season’s playoffs.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse instructed reporters after the sport that Embiid was nonetheless being examined to find out whether or not there are any fractures within the space the place he was hit (Twitter hyperlink through Bodner). Even if X-rays come again clear, Embiid may find yourself within the NBA’s concussion protocol, that means he’d should go a collection of exams earlier than being cleared to return to motion, Bodner tweets.
Friday’s contest was simply the sixth of 23 Sixers video games that Embiid has performed this season. He has missed time attributable to left knee swelling and was additionally suspended three video games for a locker room run-in with a reporter.
Philadelphia might be again in motion on Monday in Charlotte, then gained’t play once more till internet hosting the Hornets subsequent Friday, so if Embiid’s harm seems to be minor, he’ll have loads of restoration time within the subsequent week. The 76ers determine to offer an replace on his standing sooner or later this weekend.
Sixers guard Jared McCain additionally suffered an obvious head harm when he hit his head on the ground in the course of the second half on Friday, however he cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and was in a position to return to the sport (Twitter hyperlink through Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports).
