Joel Embiid suffered a fractured sinus during the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, the team announced. He will further evaluate over the weekend.
The Pacers ended up winning the game, 121-107, but most of the questions were about Embiid’s status in the immediate aftermath.
Embiid was injured on Indiana’s final possession of the first half. With 18.4 seconds left, Tyrese Haliburton missed a layup and Bennedict Mathurin jumped into the lane for an offensive rebound. As he landed on the court, Mathurin’s left hand hit Embiid on the right side of his face.
Joel Embiid got up and went to the locker room with seconds left in the first half, where he was hit in the face by Bennedikt Mathurin’s shoulder. pic.twitter.com/2gLajNwgny
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) December 14, 2024
Embiid fell to the ground as play continued down the court and a trainer came out to check on him. He remained lying down, obviously concerned about the area around his eye. Embiid has previously suffered orbital bone fractures on both the left and right sides of his face. (In 2022, he suffered a fractured right side and a concussion after being elbowed by Pascal Siakam.)
So it seems understandable that Embiid would be immediately concerned about any hard impact to that area of the face. In addition to signs of a fracture, trainer Kevin Johnson also appears to be checking for any eye injury.
The Sixers center did not come back after halftime as he had 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in 17 minutes of play. Sixers coach Nick Nurse told reporters after the game Embiid was tested for possible fractures in the area of his face.
Embiid has played in just six of Philadelphia’s 23 games this season due to left knee management, suspension and personal reasons. He is averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points on 3-5 3-point shooting. Paul George added 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks as the Sixers fell to 7–16 on the season. Philadelphia is off until Monday (they play two games in the next seven days), and updates on Embiid’s status should be available by then.
Tyrese Haliburton led all scorers with 32 points and 11 assists, followed by Pascal Siakam with 23 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Obi Toppin contributed 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Pacers. Indiana improved to 11-15 and hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday.