Embiid sports mask in return from sinus fracture

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was back in the starting lineup Friday night against the visiting Charlotte Hornets after a one-game absence due to a sinus fracture.

Sporting a black protective mask, Embiid returned to the court after sitting out the Sixers’ 121-108 victory over the Hornets on Monday. He suffered the injury last Friday when he was struck in the face by Indiana‘s Bennedict Mathurin while going for a defensive rebound.

Head coach Nick Nurse noted earlier this week that the sinus fracture was “not nearly as severe” as the two previous facial fractures Embiid suffered in his career.

Embiid entered the day with just six games played this season due to knee soreness and was averaging just 20.3 points, well below his career average.