Joel Embiid Won't Return vs. Knicks After Facial Injury Diagnosed as Contusion

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered a facial injury during the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. 

Per Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice, Embiid was diagnosed with a facial contusion and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Neubeck added the big man went through the concussion protocol and was cleared. 

Embiid posted a snapchat of himself at the hospital, with the caption "Not good" (via Dime Magazine):

The incident occurred when Embiid was trying to set a pick for Markelle Fultz, whose shoulder collided with the star center's head and face. 

After the game, Fultz tweeted prayers for his injured teammate: 

Injuries have been a dominant theme throughout Embiid's NBA career, but the 24-year-old has remained relatively healthy throughout the 2017-18 season. Through 62 games, he's averaging 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds.

According to NBA.com, Philadelphia had a plus-11.5 net rating with Embiid on the court heading into Wednesday. 

The Sixers have already clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. They entered Wednesday a half-game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the No. 3 seed.

Embiid's health is critical for Philadelphia to have any hope of winning a first-round playoff series. Without him, a dangerous Sixers roster looks far more pedestrian.