76ers’ Joel Embiid out with facial injury vs. Pacers, will undergo further testing | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to shoot in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 20, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid left Friday’s game against the Indiana Pacers and has been ruled out for the rest of the game after being hit in the face while they defended the paint in the first half.

Keith Pompey from Philadelphia Inquirer provided the update, noting that Embiid will undergo additional testing:

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers

Joel Embiid (impact to right side of face) will not return. He will undergo further tests.

With 11 seconds left in the first half of Friday’s matchup, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin accidentally hit Embiid in the face as he attempted a putback layup on a missed shot by Tyrese Haliburton. Medical staff attended to the big man before he left the court.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Joel Embiid has been ruled out with injury vs. Pacers
He will undergo further tests following ‘impact on right side of face’ pic.twitter.com/K0E7jrYB4F

Embiid has been in and out of the lineup all season, mostly due to concerns about his left knee. He missed the first 10 games of the year: seven due to left knee treatment and three more because of one suspension after shoving a member of the media in a postgame confrontation.

The big man notably missed all of February and March 2024 after suffering an injury to the lateral meniscus in his left knee. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs before suiting up for Team USA at the Summer Olympics.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP returned on Nov. 12, before the next night sitting on a back to back. He then played the next three games.

However, Embiid was ruled out for his team’s game on Friday, November 22 against the Brooklyn Nets and Sunday, November 24 against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN’s. Shams Charania. The team said in a statement that Embiid was dealing with swelling in his left knee.

“Joel Embiid deals with swelling in his left knee,” the declaration read. “In consultation with the team’s medical staff, Embiid missed tonight’s game and will also miss Sunday’s game. He is receiving treatments and further updates on his status will be provided early next week.”

Dealing with a left knee ailment, Embiid has struggled this season, averaging 22.0 points on 40.7 percent shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in five games. The year before, the big man posted 34.7 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

If Embiid misses more time, the 76ers could turn to Guerschon Yabusele and Andre Drummond in his absence.