Joel Embiid of the 76ers plays against the Celtics after falling during warmups

BOSTON – Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid fell to the floor during warmups before Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics but remained in the starting lineup for the Christmas Day game.

Embiid shot near the sideline about 45 minutes into the game and appeared to get caught in a safety rope separating the players from the fans on the sidelines. The 2023 NBA MVP grabbed his right ankle and remained on the court for a minute before heading to the locker room.

When the Sixers returned to the court for a separate shootout minutes before tipoff, Embiid joined them late. He eventually came out and warmed up as usual, then was announced as a member of Philadelphia’s starting lineup.

A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid is averaging 20.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season – well below his career averages. He has missed all but nine games because of left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room.

Embiid wore a mask in just his third game since suffering a sinus fracture. He was ejected from his final game Monday against San Antonio after picking up his second technical foul in the second quarter for arguing with referee Jenna Schroeder.