According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was diagnosed with a sinus fracture after he was hit in the face while defending the ball in the first half of Friday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Embiid will undergo further testing over the weekend, Charania added.

With 11 seconds left in the first half of Friday’s matchup, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin accidentally hit Embiid in the face as he attempted a putback layup after a missed shot by Tyrese Haliburton. Medical staff attended to the large man before he left the courtroom.

Embiid has been on and off the roster all season, primarily due to left knee issues. He missed the first ten games of the year: seven due to Management of the left knee and three more due to a suspension after he pushed a member of the media in a post-game confrontation.

The big man notably missed all of February and March 2024 after suffering a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee. He returned at the end of the regular season and in the playoffs before competing for Team USA at the Summer Olympics.

The 2022-23 NBA MVP returned on November 12th before sitting out the next night. He then played the next three games.

However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Embiid was then ruled out for his team’s game on Friday, November 22nd against the Brooklyn Nets and his team’s game on Sunday, November 24th against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team said in a statement that Embiid had swelling in his left knee.

“Joel Embiid is dealing with swelling in his left knee,” the statement said. “In consultation with the team’s medical staff, Embiid missed tonight’s game and will also miss Sunday’s game. He is receiving treatment and further updates on his status will be provided early next week.”

Dealing with a left knee injury, Embiid has struggled this season, averaging 22.0 points on 40.7 percent shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in five games. The year before, the big man scored 34.7 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

If Embiid misses more time, the 76ers can rely on Guerschon Yabusele and Andre Drummond in his absence.