Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been hit with yet another setback in what has been a season full of challenges. During Friday night’s 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Embiid suffered a sinus fracture, leaving fans and the team anxious about his condition. The incident occurred in the final moments of the first half when Embiid and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin were battling for a defensive rebound. Unfortunately, Mathurin’s forearm and elbow struck Embiid’s face, leaving him crumpled on the floor near the Philadelphia bench. While play continued, Embiid stayed down, clutching his face in visible pain.
The 76ers ruled Embiid out early in the second half, citing “impact to the right side of the face,” which included the cheek and nose area. Coach Nick Nurse shared after the game that Embiid was undergoing testing, with further evaluations scheduled for the weekend. It was later confirmed that Embiid had indeed suffered a sinus fracture, compounding his string of misfortunes this season.
Embiid’s performance on Friday was solid despite the injury. In just 17 and a half minutes, he contributed 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. However, the team’s struggles this season continued, with the loss dropping their record to a disappointing 7-16. The Sixers now face the challenge of playing their next game on Monday against Charlotte, potentially without their All-Star big man.
The season has been far from smooth sailing for Embiid. The 7-foot center has only participated in six of Philadelphia’s 23 games. Lingering swelling in his left knee has kept him sidelined for much of the season, and a three-game suspension following a physical altercation with a reporter didn’t help matters. For a player of his caliber, these interruptions have been particularly frustrating.
Adding to the frustration, Philadelphia’s “big three” — Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, who joined the team in the offseason — have only played parts of three games together. The chemistry and rhythm they hoped to build have been elusive, leaving the team scrambling to find answers. Maxey, who led the Sixers with 22 points against Indiana, voiced the collective disappointment: “What sucks about this is that we were moving in the right direction. Guys were figuring out roles, what coach wants from them, and playing the right way. We know how to play with Joel, and now we may have to revert our minds back to playing without him. That’s OK. It’s different. That’s how life is.”
It’s not the first time Embiid has dealt with facial injuries. In 2022, he sustained an orbital bone fracture after colliding with Pascal Siakam during the playoffs against the Toronto Raptors. A similar injury occurred in 2018 following a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz. Additionally, Embiid revealed last year that he suffered from Bell’s palsy during a first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks. These repeated facial injuries have unfortunately become a recurring theme in his career.
Off the court, Embiid has been candid about the emotional toll of his physical challenges. Following Sunday’s win against the Chicago Bulls, Embiid opened up to ESPN about the difficulties he’s faced this season, particularly with the swelling in his left knee. “It’s depressing,” he admitted, noting that the swelling wasn’t even related to a specific injury. This ongoing battle with his body has undoubtedly weighed heavily on him.
Despite these setbacks, Embiid’s work ethic and determination have remained strong. Coach Nick Nurse commended him, saying, “He’s been in a really good place all week, and he practiced all week. We did a lot of stuff to get up to speed with him. But I can imagine that he can feel like the black cloud is over him a little bit. He just keeps running into something, really, unfortunately.”
The Sixers’ struggles this season go beyond Embiid’s injuries. The team’s record reflects the challenges of integrating new players, adapting to coaching strategies, and dealing with injuries to key contributors. The absence of consistent play from their star trio has left the team in a precarious position, making each game an uphill battle.
As the Sixers prepare for their next matchup, the team’s resilience will be tested. With or without Embiid on the court, the focus will be on maintaining a “next-man-up” mentality. Maxey’s optimism and leadership will be crucial as the team looks to turn their season around. “You just have to move on and practice when we practice again,” he said. “That’s how life is.”
For fans, Embiid’s health and availability remain a top concern. His ability to dominate on both ends of the court makes him indispensable to the team’s success. The hope is that this latest injury will heal quickly, allowing Embiid to rejoin his teammates and continue striving for the success that has eluded them so far this season.
Key Takeaways:
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Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture during Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers, adding to his season-long challenges.
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The injury occurred after a collision with Bennedict Mathurin, sidelining Embiid early in the second half.
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Embiid’s season has been marred by knee swelling, facial injuries, and a suspension, limiting his participation to just six games.
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The Sixers’ “big three” of Embiid, Maxey, and George have struggled to find consistency, with the team’s record now at 7-16.
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Despite the setbacks, the team remains focused on adapting and moving forward, with hopes of turning their season around.
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