Sixers C Embiid exits with facial contusion

Philadelphia center Joel Embiid left the 76ers' game against the New York Knicks in the second quarter Wednesday after sustaining a facial contusion on a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz.

The injury occurred with 11:50 remaining in the first half. Fultz lobbed a pass to Embiid, who lost control of the ball and instinctively bent down to recover it. When he did, Fultz, still in motion, hit Embiid in the face with his shoulder, sending himself and the All-Star center to the court.

While Fultz got right back up, Embiid stayed down and was escorted off by head athletic trainer Kevin Johnson. While they made their way to the locker room, cameras caught the 24-year-old bending over in pain once he cleared the doors to the hallway.

"I was trying to get the ball," Fultz said after the game, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. "At the same time I was watching him. My heart dropped really because I know he hit me. But he's a tough guy and I know he's going to be OK. All I can do is pray for him."

The Sixers announced that Embiid wouldn't return to the contest and that he cleared concussion protocol. The team later announced that X-rays were negative, though Embiid was taken to a local hospital for preliminary tests.

Embiid had five points and three rebounds in nine minutes before sustaining the injury. Entering Wednesday, he was averaging 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds in 62 games this season.

The 76ers, who beat the Knicks 118-101, have already clinched a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

--Field Level Media