Wearing a protective mask, Joel Embiid finishes with 34 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in 31 minutes.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid had 34 points and nine assists after missing a game because of a sinus fracture, helping the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Charlotte Hornets 108-98 on Friday night.
Wearing a protective “Phantom of the Opera” mask, Embiid was introduced to a roaring ovation.
Embiid scored 22 points in the first three quarters to lead the 76ers to their fourth win in five games. Philadelphia is still well under .500 at 9-16 but a recent hot streak has it at least within striking distance of a Play-In Tournament berth.
Embiid has been ravaged by injuries this season and has only played in seven games, mostly due to knee soreness.
Vasilije Micic led the Hornets with 20 points. They lost their fourth straight game and have lost for the 12th time in 13 games.
