Joel Embiid is known almost as much for being injured as he is for his play.
The 76ers center missed the first two seasons of his NBA career with a broken bone in his foot and sat out an additional 88 games prior to the start of this year.
It’s not the most serious injury he’s ever had, but it’s a nasty looking one, as Embiid suffered a gruesome finger dislocation during Monday night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The injury happened late in the first quarter. Embiid was guarding Steven Adams when he slid over to help defend a drive by Darius Bazley.
It’s unclear exactly how his dislocated his finger, but Embiid immediately walked towards the sideline as play continued, eventually resulting in an Adams putback slam.
Ouch….
Joel Embiid was forced to leave the game after a gruesome finger injury. pic.twitter.com/eMhVCtFCYm
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 7, 2020
As the camera panned to Embiid, it showed his ring finger on his left hand was bent at an awkward angle back across his pinky.
Mike Muscala was understandably horrified.
Warning: The video is graphic.
I don’t think Joel Embiid’s finger should look like that 🤮 pic.twitter.com/qHD8gyuYMC
— Taylor Fieux (@tayfieux) January 7, 2020
Embiid was immediately taken back to the locker room.
Ouch. Joel Embiid dislocated a finger. pic.twitter.com/mV7itOwfQQ
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 7, 2020
Per Serena Winters, the Sixers reporter for NBCPhiladelphia, Embiid was treated, taped up and put back in the game.
Joel Embiid dislocated his finger. He was treated and taped and is back on the floor. #Sixers
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 7, 2020
Embiid is averaging a double-double this season, going for 23.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.