Sixers star Joel Embiid exits game vs. Pacers after being struck in the face

Keith Pompey, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec 13, 2024

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PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid left Friday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers after being struck in the face underneath the Pacers’ basket.

The 76ers’ center was hit in the face while trying to make a defensive play 12 seconds before the halftime intermission. Embiid fell to court and remained there until the Sixers called a timeout with 6.1 seconds remaining. The Sixers diagnosed Embiid’s injury as an impact to right side of his face, and announced that he will not return to the game.

This was Embiid’s second game back after missing seven games with left knee swelling and personal reasons. The 2023 NBA MVP has missed 17 games this season due to left knee management, knee swelling, personal reasons and serving a three-game suspension.

Embiid had 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting to go along with four rebounds and five assists.

After Embiid was ruled out, Sixers rookie Jared McCain had an injury scare. The rookie guard briefly left the game at the 5:24 mark of the third quarter after he was hit in the back of the head while being fouled. McCain lost his balance and needed help from teammate Paul George while walking to the free-throw line. McCain went to the locker room for further evaluation, but he cleared concussion protocol and returned to the floor with 2:04 left in the quarter.