'Shouldn't look like that': Joel Embiid suffers gruesome finger injury
Warning: The following contains graphic images some viewers might find disturbing
If you have a weak stomach for gruesome sporting injuries then this one’s not for you.
Joel Embiid put NBA viewers to the test on Tuesday (AEDT) after suffering a sickening finger injury during the first quarter of the game against Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Embiid was defending a shot at the rim by Thunder forward Darius Bazley when the horrific injury occurred.
The Philadelphia superstar clearly got the ring finger on his left hand in the wrong place on defence, with replays showing it bent in a worryingly unnatural position.
The memes started pouring in on social media as viewers reacted in horror to the gruesome nature of the injury.
I feel like Joel Embiid’s finger probably shouldn’t look like this pic.twitter.com/BaNde7t7Nh
— Dave Loughran (@Loughy_D) January 7, 2020
— Dean78904 (@DFS_Almanac) January 7, 2020
— #BurnsBomb Insider (@burnstweeted) January 7, 2020
Ughhhhhh
— Loyal Rockets Fan (@WatsonEon) January 7, 2020
— GM (@mrcleanva) January 7, 2020
— Marc Hoak (@MarcHoak) January 7, 2020
— Plad (@vancityplad) January 7, 2020
Thats not where fingers go! 😖
— Johvin of all trades (@johvincan) January 7, 2020
— dfsbeerpack (@stinewolverines) January 7, 2020
Incredibly, the Sixers star returned to the court to continue playing after being treated for the gruesome injury.
Embiid left the game before returning with a wrap around his finger, when he continued to play his normal allotment of minutes through the first half.
Embiid re-entered the game after dislocating his finger...badly. 🥴🥴 pic.twitter.com/u0Eg1a5IbD
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 7, 2020
It’s unclear what the long-term prognosis is for Embiid’s finger injury, however, it did little to stifle his impact on the contest.
Despite the injury, Embiid still managed to finish with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to help the 76ers seal a 120-113 victory.
Josh Richardson was Philly's top scorer with 23 points, while Aussie Ben Simmons just missed out on a triple-double after scoring 17 points to go with 15 rebounds and eight assists.
With Yahoo Sports US