Pacers deal Sixers big blow

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Joel Embiid’s tough season took another turn for the worse on Friday as Philadelphia’s star center exited early in the 76ers’ 121-107 National Basketball Association loss to Indiana after being struck in the face.

The Cameroon-born big man, who won Olympic gold with the United States in Paris this year, was fighting for a rebound under the Pacers’ basket when he was inadvertently elbowed by Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin.

Embiid had 12 points with four rebounds and five assists before departing moments before halftime and the Sixers said after the game he had been diagnosed with a sinus fracture and would be evaluated further over the weekend.

Embiid was playing just his second game back after missing seven contests. He has played just six games this season as he battled a troublesome left knee and served a three-game suspension for an altercation with a journalist.

The Pacers, fueled by 32 points and 11 assists from Tyrese Haliburton, led most of the way. Pascal Siakam added 23 points and eight rebounds and Obi Toppin chipped in 20 points off the bench for Indiana.