Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.

Sixers star Joel Embiid was in top form in his return to the starting lineup Friday night, scoring a game-high 34 points to lead Philadelphia to a 108-98 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets.

Embiid, back after a one-game absence due to a sinus fracture, will sit out the second leg of the Sixers' back-to-back Saturday in Cleveland, according to head coach Nick Nurse.

Sporting a black protective mask Friday night, Embiid scored 24 of his points in the second half for the Sixers, who have won four of their past five games. He was 12-of-24 from the field and added 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in 31 minutes.

Embiid was injured last Friday when he was struck in the face by Indiana's Bennedict Mathurin while going for a defensive rebound. He sat out his team's 121-108 victory over the Hornets on Monday.

Friday marked only the seventh game this season for Embiid, who has been plagued by a sore knee.

Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.

Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.

Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.

Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.

Embiid returns with 34 in win, will sit again Sat.