Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will start Friday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets, the team announced.
Embiid sustained a sinus fracture last Friday versus the Indiana Pacers and the Sixers said on Monday that he would be re-evaluated in one week. Four days later, he's back in the lineup.
Though he did not wear a protective mask during pregame warmups, Embiid is wearing one in the game. Friday's contest is only the fourth in which Philly's "Big Three" of Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey are playing together. The Sixers went 1–2 in those previous three games.
Due to a fortunate stretch in Philadelphia's schedule, Embiid only missed one full game — Monday's 121–108 win over the Hornets — with the injury.
