Markelle Fultz’s debut was a feel-good moment for the Philadelphia 76ers. After years of being stricken with a string of inauspicious injuries, Philadelphia is closing in on the third seed and The Process was finally coming together.

Unfortunately, the good vibes nearly ended early on in his second game back against the New York Knicks. During a hand-off from Embiid near the top of the key, Fultz rammed his shoulder into Joel Embiid’s face. Embiid immediately grabbed his face and dropped to the floor as the entire City of Brotherly Love gasped.

After Embiid retreated to the locker room, the Sixers diagnosed him with a facial contusion and the broadcast stated that were was no concussion detected.

Although, Embiid is done for the night, avoiding the concussion protocol or any serious damage is a welcome relief. Nobody is breathing a deeper sigh of relief than Fultz who was finally working his way into the hearts and minds of Philly after missing 60 games. Taking out the symbol of The Process right before the playoffs would have reversed much of that preexisting goodwill.

I should also be noted that Fultz made contact with his previously injured right shoulder and walked away unscathed. All things considered, the Sixers may have dodged a bullet.

Update: Joel Embiid was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. Sixers head coach Brett Brown had no answers in his postgame press conference, but Embiid provided a cryptic update on social media.

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DJ Dunson is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at dunsnchecksin@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or Facebook.