In a shocking turn of events, Joel Embiid's quest for health reached a new low as a sinus fracture, courtesy of Bennedict Mathurin's errant rebound attempt, sidelined him once again during the game against the Pacers.

This latest setback marks yet another chapter in Embiid's ongoing saga of injuries this season, as he has only managed to lace up for six games out of 23. With his history of facial injuries and an ongoing knee issue, fans are left wondering if Embiid’s face has a personal vendetta against playing basketball—or vice versa. The team is set to reassess his condition over the weekend, but until then, it seems the only things more fragile than Embiid’s sinuses are the hopes of 76ers fans everywhere.

The incident occurred mid-game when Mathurin, thrusting his body into the battle for a rebound, inadvertently turned Embiid's face into an unwitting target. While it's safe to say Mathurin intended to snag a ball, we can’t help but assume that displaying impeccable marksmanship wasn’t part of the plan. Embiid left the arena with a career stat line of 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds, all amassed in just 17 minutes of play, leaving spectators to ponder if that will be his last contribution for a while. Who knew a sinus could turn into an emergency leave of absence?

Embattled by injuries, this season has not been kind to the Sixers superstar. With just six games under his belt, one might wonder if he’s been spending more time in the training room than on the court. Historically, Embiid's been prone to injuries, and facial fractures seem to be regular guests on his injury report. Having previously suffered two orbital fractures, it’s possible that his bones are trying to escape from his body at this point. Where’s the doctor who hands out the rubber faces when you need him?

The team’s initial announcement regarding Embiid is like opening a fortune cookie without a fortune: hopeful, yet ultimately vague, stating that he’ll be ‘re-evaluated over the weekend.’ The true timeline for his return remains obscured—likely as murky as the Sixers' playoff aspirations if this injury lingers. Imagine a crystal ball revealing a future where Embiid is either miraculously healed or off to a new career in synchronized swimming, dodging wayward elbows with grace.

In the meantime, Embiid is also recovering from a knee issue and, just for good measure, he was suspended for three games earlier in the season for a conduct-related incident—because even the slightest misbehavior seems to add to his injury woes. If there were a point system for Embiid’s challenges, he likely would surpass any leaderboard faster than he gets to the free-throw line. One begins to ponder whether he has a good luck charm that just happens to be a bad luck magnet.

It remains to be seen whether this latest injury will be a mere hiccup or another prolonged sabbatical for the star. One thing’s for sure: the 76ers fans are becoming experts in injury management, transformed from hopeful supporters to amateur doctors and cheerleading nutritionists. Perhaps the team should consider a new slogan: 'What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… unless it’s Joel Embiid’s face.'

With each injury, the questions surrounding his durability grow louder. Are the 76ers developing a game plan about how to prevent these constant setbacks? One would think that with such high stakes, they might review video footage, learning from past blowups—not just in-game but also in the unfortunate collisions with other players. After all, no player should have the word 'fragile' inked on their scouting report.

As the weekend rolls on, we can only hold our breath and watch with a mixture of hope and trepidation. For all those who tune in for Sixers games, the adventure continues, alongside the age-old question: how can an athlete with such talent navigate the seemingly never-ending challenges of injuries that have plagued his career? This year alone, injuries have kept Joel Embiid off the court, with him having only played six games this season out of 23 and most recently dealing with a sinus fracture from an unintended hit to the face. Let's face it; navigating injuries is like trying to dodge traffic while juggling–it's a delicate balance that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.