UPDATE: The 76ers told reporters postgame that Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture from the first-half blow to the face that sent him out of the game. “He will be further evaluated this weekend and his status will be updated as appropriate,” the team told media members.
This is Embiid’s third facial fracture, which is just incredibly unlucky. He’s going to miss more time, how much depends upon exactly which bones are broken.
This marks the 3rd facial fracture of Embiid's career. He suffered a left orbital fracture in 2018 & a right orbital fracture in 2022. The 1st injury required surgery & he went on to miss 22 days (10 games). The 2022 injury cost him 2 postseason games over the course of 8 days.
— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) December 14, 2024
Sixers’ fans can be understandably frustrated with Embiid’s injury history, but this one was a fluke play and not his fault.
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Joel Embiid was in just his second game back from his troublesome knee issue when this happened.
Joel Embiid got up and walked to the locker room with a few seconds left to play in the first half, was hit in the face by the arm of Bennedict Mathurin here. pic.twitter.com/2gLajNwgny
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) December 14, 2024
That is the Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin incidentally hitting Embiid in the face when going for a rebound and putback. Embiid went to the ground and, soon after, straight to the locker room. He is not returning to the game and will undergo further testing, the 76ers announced.
This was the sixth game Embiid has played this season, missing time previously due to “left knee injury management.” Embiid is averaging 22 points and 8.4 rebounds a game when he has played this season, including dropping 31 on the Bulls five days ago.
Philly’s big three of Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey have played just two games together. The theory that having three stars would mean a couple would be able to pick up the slack when one was out has not proven to work. The 76ers are 7-15, and if the postseason started today, they wouldn’t even make the play-in.
If Embiid has to miss more time, that will just add to their woes.
