Joel Embiid sparks injury concerns again with huge fall

Joel Embiid sparked injury concerns again on Christmas Day as he took a huge fall before facing the Celtics in Boston. The Sixers center, who is playing just his ninth game of the season on Wednesday night, was seen taking a step-back jumper during warmups when he fell backwards into a security rope running down the sideline. Embiid tumbled to the ground and could be seen holding his ankle before being helped out by teammates. Fans questioned why the rope was so close to the court, and Embiid was missing on the court minutes to the game, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. Nonetheless, the seven-time All-Star eventually returned to the floor and was able to start the game for the Sixers. It's been an injury-filled season for Embiid, who missed the entirety of the preseason with what the team deemed 'left knee injury management.' He missed the first nine games of the season before making his debut, and also missed seven games in a row from late November to early December to manage swelling in his left knee. And the injury issues would not end there for Embiid, as he suffered a sinus fracture on December 13 after a collision with Markelle Fultz. He returned to the court a week later wearing a protective face mask, which he was also seen wearing on Christmas Day. Aside from injuries, it's been a tumultuous season for Embiid, who was also suspended three games in November for shoving a reporter. Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Inquirer had mentioned Embiid's late brother, Arthur, in a column about the center's lack of availability for his team. Embiid has never played more than 68 games in a regular season for the Sixers - appearing in just 39 last year. The 30-year-old also screamed at a referee this week before being ejected.