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Embiid will continue to be out of action for the foreseeable future. The 76ers have not provided a specific timeline for his comeback.

Embiid sustained the injury in Philadelphia's 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin inadvertently hit Embiid in the face while attempting to secure a rebound. Embiid immediately fell to the floor in pain and eventually left the game.

Joel Embiid got up and walked to the locker room with a few seconds left to play in the first half, was hit in the face by the arm of Bennedict Mathurin here. pic.twitter.com/2gLajNwgny

— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) December 14, 2024

He did not return and was later diagnosed with a sinus fracture. The 76ers announced at the time that Embiid would be further evaluated over the weekend.

Embiid has been plagued by injuries during his 11-season NBA career that includes seven All-Star bids, five All-NBA selections and the 2023 MVP award. This is the third time he's suffered a facial fracture.

Embiid previously sustained a right orbital fracture and a concussion during the 2022 playoffs when then-Raptors forward Pascal Siakam inadvertently elbowed him in the face. That injury sidelined Embiid for Games 1 and 2 of Philadelphia's playoff series against the Miami Heat. He returned in Game 3 and continued to play until the 76ers were eliminated in Game 6 of the conference semifinal series.

Embiid previously suffered a left orbital fracture in 2018 that sidelined him for 10 games, including two in the postseason.

Embiid has played in just six of Philadelphia's 23 games this season. He previously missed time due to suspension, personal reasons and what the team designated as left knee management. Embiid previously had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee that sidelined him for a significant portion of the second half of last season.

It's been a disappointing start for the 76ers, who acquired Paul George in the offseason to further build around Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey in hopes of competing for an NBA championship. Instead, the 76ers are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a 7-16 record as Embiid (17 games), George (10 games) and Maxey (six games) have all been sidelined for significant portions of the schedule.

Embiid has averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and one block in the games he has played.