Any type of facial injury is scary but especially for Embiid. The former MVP has already suffered multiple orbital bone fractures in his career. The first occurred as the result of friendly fire when he caught an elbow from then-teammate Markelle Fultz back in 2018. The other was more recent when then-Raptor, current Pacer Pascal Siakam elbowed him in the face as the Sixers eliminated Toronto in blowout fashion in 2022.
As if that weren’t enough, standout rookie Jared McCain was also forced to leave the game. In the third quarter, he drove hard to the basket and was fouled by Andrew Nembhard. McCain’s head smacked the floor and it took him a minute or two to get up. When he got to his feet, he stumbled and needed to be steadied by Paul George.
The officials pulled McCain from the game and Ricky Council IV came in to take the free throws.
Somewhat surprisingly, McCain returned to the game at the end of the third.
We’ll keep you posted if any more updates emerge.
Update: Joel Embiid suffered a sinus fracture in Friday night’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, per the Sixers. He will be further evaluated this weekend and his status will be updated as appropriate.
The Sixers next play Monday night in Charlotte against the Hornets.
The Sixers’ Big 3 made it’s home debut Friday. Just like the first time they all finally played together, it was short lived.
Joel Embiid was forced to leave the game against the Pacers after being struck in the face by the Indiana Pacers’ Benedict Mathurin while fighting for a rebound. The Sixers ruled him out with impact to the right side of his face. He will undergo further testing.
In the waning seconds of the first half, Embiid goes up for a rebound off a missed Tyrese Haliburton runner. Mathurin leaps for the rebound and inadvertently catches Embiid on the right side of his side. Embiid would remain on the floor for several minutes before heading to the locker room.
The Sixers might be cursed.
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