Why is Joel Embiid wearning a mask? Looking at 76ers star's comeback game from injury & more

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is set to return on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets after missing one game. The big man will wear a mask ahead of their game as he suffered a right sinus fracture against the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 13. Fortunately for the Sixers, Embiid wasn't sidelined for too long.

The Sixers reported that the 2023 MVP will wear a mask against the Hornets. The mask will protect the star's face from further damage and keep him healthy on the court.

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The big man has had an up-and-down season with the Sixers, dealing with injuries and criticism. He missed the first nine games as the team was managing his right knee injury in the first six games of the 2024-25 NBA season. He was suspended for the next three games after getting into an altercation with a columnist.

Embiid has played six games this season averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

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Former NBA star suggests the Sixers to shut down Joel Embiid and Paul George

This season hasn't been nice for the Sixers due to the injuries of Joel Embiid and Paul George. Both stars have missed a significant amount of time causing the team to fall below the Eastern Conference standings.

As a contending team, what Philly is experiencing early in the new campaign isn't supposed to be part of the plan. However, they've kept their heads up and pushed to take on the season with their often-injured stars.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas suggests that the Sixers should end the season and shut down Embiid and George. On Friday's edition of "Gil's Arena," the former Washington Wizards star spoke about what the team should've shut down their stars early in the year.

“You should have cut the cord f—–g weeks ago,” Arenas said on his show. “Embiid, cut. Paul George, we'll see. If not, get healthy. They're not going to help you win a championship this year, so if they can't help you win a championship, shut them down. I just paid you money. I need to protect it. [Embiid and George], I don't give a f— what y'all talking about, chill out.”

Like Embiid, George has struggled to be healthy and has only played in 14 games. when he's playing, he's not putting up the All-Star numbers that many expect him to have for the Sixers. The nine-time All-Star is averaging 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists.

Fortunately for the Sixers, George has played in all four of their past four games. During that stretch, he averaged 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.

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