NBA playoffs 2022: Joel Embiid joins list of stars to wear a mask
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After missing the first two games of the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat Eastern Conference semifinals series, Joel Embiid returned to the starting lineup for Game 3.
The MVP finalist was sidelined with a facial fracture and concussion after being struck by Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam late in Game 6 of Philadelphia's first-round series.
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br/>His return to court also marks the return of his face mask.
This isn't the first time he's donned protective gear in the postseason. Embiid made his first appearance wearing a mask in the first round of the Sixers' 2018 playoff run.
He even poked fun at the mask, posting a picture captioned: "'No one cared who I was until I put on the mask'.... The Phantom of The Process"
Here are a few other instances of masked stars over the last decade.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Booker first wore the mask in Game 3 of the 2021 Western Conference Finals. Before the game he even asked famed former masked shooting guard Rip Hamilton for advice.
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics
br/>Irving wore the protective gear for multiple squads, but his first showing might be the most memorable. He dropped a then-career high 41 points in 39 minutes.
Read more: Black mask Kyrie Irving vs. clear mask Kyrie Irving -- who wins?
LeBron James, Miami Heat
James donned the black mask for one game in Feb. 2014 before switching to a clear one.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
br/>Two days after fracturing his cheekbone, Westbrook went off for a signature performance. He put up 49 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists (and one mask).
Honorable mentionbr/>Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Okay, maybe this one isn't quite like the others, but it kind of fits the theme. Oladipo donned a Black Panther mask while competing in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest.br/]
