PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — San Antonio veteran guard Chris Paul was ejected from the Spurs' game at Portland on Friday night after getting his second technical foul.
Paul left the game when he earned his second tech with 1:03 left in the first quarter, just 11 seconds after his first. It was unclear why Paul was tossed.
Paul, who was averaging 10.2 points per game and 8.5 assists, had five points, four rebounds and four assists when he was ejected.
The Spurs went into the game with just 11 players available. Stephon Castle, averaging 12.1 points, was out for the first time this season because of a bruised left shoulder.
Also unavailable were Zach Collins (bruised lower back), Keldon Johnson (left calf strain) and Tre Jones (sprained left shoulder) were also ruled out.
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San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reacts to a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) walks off the court after being ejected during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 32 points and 11 assists and the Indiana Pacers beat Philadelphia 121-107 on Friday night, with the 76ers playing the second half without Joel Embiid after he sustained a sinus fracture when he was struck in the face late in the first.
Embiid was battling Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin when he caught an errant forearm and elbow to the bridge of the nose. Embiid crumpled to the ground as play continued up floor and stayed down near the Philadelphia bench, holding his face.
Playing just his sixth game of the season, Embiid had 12 points, four rebounds and five assists in 17 1/2 minutes.
Pascal Siakam added 23 points for Indiana, and Obi Toppin had 20. They each had eight rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 22 points. Paul George added 15.
Pacers: The Pacers had lost five of six coming into Philadelphia, but showed the kind of athletic style that still makes them a potential threat in the Eastern Conference.
76ers: Philadelphia’s injury-plagued season keeps going with more concerns about Embiid, who has a history of facial injuries.
Haliburton set the tone and gave the Pacers early separation, making four 3-pointers in the first quarter as Indiana grabbed a 29-22 lead. Haliburton made seven 3s.
Philadelphia has only had Embiid, Maxey and George in the lineup together for more than 30 minutes once this season — Sunday in a victory over Chicago.
Indiana host New Orleans on Sunday. Philadelphia is at Charlotte on Monday.
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Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Indiana Pacers' T.J. McConnell, left, puts up the shot with Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey, right, defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, center, gets helped off the court after getting hit in the face during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, left, reacts to his basket as Philadelphia 76ers' Kelly Oubre Jr., right, looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
