Philadelphia star center Joel Embiid took an errant blow to the right side of his face during the 76ers’ 121-107 home loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday and did not return.

Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin leapt for an offensive rebound and a failed putback attempt late in the second quarter, and on his way down his left hand inadvertently struck Embiid in the face. Embiid crumpled to the ground and team trainers attended to him.

Embiid, 30, missed the second half as the 76ers fell to 7-16 on the season. He finished with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds in 17 minutes.

76ers coach Nick Nurse told reporters postgame that Embiid was still being tested after being hit near his cheekbone.

The 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player played just his sixth game of the season after missing the start of the season due to knee soreness and a suspension for shoving a reporter in the team’s locker room. He missed seven games in a row while managing swelling in his left knee and returned to the lineup last Sunday.

Embiid’s season averages following the Indiana game stood at 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He is far off his career averages of 27.8 points and 11.1 rebounds.

–Field Level Media