Sixers’ Joel Embiid Present process Assessments After Blow To Face

Sixers middle Joel Embiid He exited Friday’s loss to Indiana simply earlier than halftime after being hit within the face by a Pacers winger Benedict Mathurin They didn’t return within the second half for every Associated Press.

Mathurin and Embiid had been battling for a rebound underneath the Sixers’ basket when Mathurin’s left forearm and elbow collided onerous with the suitable aspect of Embiid’s face and the bridge of his nostril (Video link on Twitter by way of Bleacher Report). He fell to the bottom and clutched his face in ache for just a few moments earlier than heading to the locker room.

The Sixers introduced firstly of the third quarter that Embiid was dominated out for the remainder of the night time and can bear additional testing to judge the severity of the damage, in response to Derek Bodner of The Athletic (twitter Links). As Bodner notes, the previous MVP has a historical past of facial accidents, struggling bone fractures on the left aspect of his face (in 2018) and the suitable aspect (in 2022). He additionally handled Bell’s Palsy throughout final season’s playoffs.

Sixers head coach Nurse Nick He advised reporters after the sport that Embiid remains to be present process testing to find out if there are any fractures within the space the place he was injured (Twitter link by way of Bodner). Even when the X-ray comes again clear, Embiid might find yourself within the NBA’s concussion protocol, that means he must move a sequence of assessments earlier than being allowed to return to play. Bodner Tweets.

Friday’s sport was solely the sixth of 23 video games Embiid has performed this season. He missed time with a swollen left knee and was additionally suspended three video games for an altercation with a reporter within the locker room.

Philadelphia will return to motion Monday in Charlotte, then will not play once more till it hosts the Hornets subsequent Friday, so if Embiid’s damage seems to be minor, he could have loads of time to get well subsequent week. The 76ers will present an replace on his standing someday this weekend.

Sixers guard Jared McCain He additionally suffered an obvious head damage when his head hit the bottom through the second half on Friday, however he cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and was in a position to return to the sport.Twitter link (By way of Kyle Newbeck of PHLY Sports activities).