Embiid (sinus fracture) back in lineup for Sixers

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was back in the starting lineup Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets after a one-game absence due to a sinus fracture.

The Sixers announced Embiid's return on social media, posting a photo of the center wearing a protective mask.

Embiid suffered the injury last Friday when he was struck in the face by Bennedict Mathurin while going for a defensive rebound. He sat out the Sixers' 121-108 victory over the Hornets on Monday.

Head coach Nick Nurse noted earlier this week that the sinus fracture was "not nearly as severe" as the two previous facial fractures Embiid suffered in his career.

Embiid has played in just six games this season due to knee soreness and is averaging just 20.3 points per game for the 76ers, well below his career average.