Sixers’ Joel Embiid, Jared McCain leave game against Pacers with injuries

On By Littum

The Sixers’ Big 3 made its home debut Friday. Like the first time they all finally played together, it was short.

Joel Embiid was forced to leave the game against the Pacers after being punched in the face by the Indiana Pacers’ Benedict Mathurin while fighting for a rebound. The Sixers ruled him out with a jab to the right side of his face. He will undergo further tests.

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 stay on the floor for several minutes before heading to the locker room.

Any kind of facial injury is scary, but especially so for Embiid. The former MVP has already suffered multiple orbital bone fractures in his career. The first occurred as a result of friendly fire when he caught an elbow from then-teammate Markelle Fultz back in 2018. The second 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 wasn’t enough, rookie standout 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 hit the floor and it took him a minute or two to get up. When he stood up, he stumbled and needed to be supported 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 will keep you informed if more updates appear.