Joel Embiid made his triumphant return to the court in Miami Thursday night by spiking the hell out of the opening tip in game three against the Heat.
The Sixers' All-Star center, still recovering from a fractured orbital bone, got clearance to play just before game time and came out with the ferocity Philadelphia fans have come to love in him.
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But the real question was whether or not Embiid would be permitted by the NBA to wear any variation of the evolving mask he flashed throughout the past week, as seen below.
The answer, in a word, was no. Real progressive, NBA.
This is what Embiid was sporting instead on Thursday night.
Obviously, there were plenty of alternative suggestions along the way, but here are some of the best fan reactions to Embiid's protective mask — which, uh, broke at one point. And then the very unlikable Justise Winslow (who seems to loathe Ben Simmons) stomped on it.
Great to have you back, Jo-Jo.