NBA Fans Can't Get Enough of Joel Embiid's New Mask

Joel Embiid's mask is a fan favorite.

Bill Streicher
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

Bill Streicher

The Philadelphia 76ers are on fire. They won their 16th game in a row Wednesday night, cruising past the Milwaukee Bucks, 130-95. They've continued their hot streak despite the absence of their best player, Joel Embiid, who underwent surgery to repair a broken orbital bone after his face collided with Markelle Fultz's head.

It's still not yet clear when Embiid will play againā€”will he miss round one of the playoffs?ā€”but he took some warmup shots with his squad Wednesday, and he looked good.

Joel Embiid taking shots with mask on for first time on court šŸŽ­
Lookin good šŸ‘šŸ¼#PlayoffGameFace#HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/vKGzWXutz0

You'll notice Embiid was sporting a facial maskā€”something fans had eagerly anticipated after his injury. Embiid's mask quickly attention on Twitter. He even meme'd himself.

ā€œNo one cared who I was until I put on the maskā€.... The Phantom of The Process pic.twitter.com/JOkQxCAxYA
Where does Embiidā€™s mask rank among LeBron, Kobe & Kyrie? pic.twitter.com/jBfKtm4dgM
About to write a think piece about how Joel Embiidā€™s face mask is racially insensitive. pic.twitter.com/sODQxtEhjw
There is only one mask and itā€™s Rip Hamiltonā€™s pic.twitter.com/rBe70Ru3Uj
Springā€™s newest accessory?

Joel Embiid spotting at the Wells Fargo Center, with a fresh mask in tow. pic.twitter.com/h3K3pUEck2
Joel Embiid putting mask on courtside while watching #Sixers warm up: pic.twitter.com/7ea5DKa3ga

The Sixers (52-30) will play No. 6 seed Miami (44-38) in the first round. The first game is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. in Philly. Here's the full playoff picture.

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