Joel Embiid of the 76ers is reportedly receiving treatment for a “mild case” of Bell’s palsy.

Joel Embiid of the 76ers
Joel Embiid of the 76ers IMG by insta

After his huge Game 3 outing, Embiid is averaging 37.6 points per game in 2024 NBA postseason play. He missed 29 consecutive games during February and March in the regular season due to a meniscus injury.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid said after the team’s win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night that he is suffering from a case of Bell’s palsy.

Despite Bell’s palsy, Embiid scored a playoff career-high 50 points in Philadelphia’s 125–114 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs.

With their victory on Thursday, the 76ers leveled the series at 2-1. On Sunday, Philadelphia will try to square things in Game 4.

“It’s very sore, the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye, yes, it’s tough but I’m not going to give up, so I’ve got to keep fighting no matter what,” Embiid said. “It’s unfortunate, that’s the way I look at it. It’s no excuse, I have to keep trying.”

Embiid said he began experiencing symptoms after having a severe migraine a day or two before the NBA Play-in Tournament game against the Miami Heat.

Embiid has been spotted sporting sunglasses indoors prior to playoff games recently. Even after recovering from a two-month absence due to a left knee injury, he is still not fully recovered.

“I just love playing the game,” Embiid said. “I want to play as much as possible. I only have eight more years left, so I have to enjoy it as much as possible, and I want to win.”

With Thursday’s win the Sixers now trail the series 2-1. Game 4 will take place Sunday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly.

What is Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy is defined as “an unexplained episode of weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles” by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Johns Hopkins claims that the illness is brought on by damage to the facial nerve, and that the patient typically experiences pain and discomfort on one side of their head or face.

Although Bell’s palsy is not thought to be permanent, it occasionally does not go away. Bell’s palsy has no known cure, but healing normally starts two to six months after symptoms first appear, according to Johns Hopkins.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bell’s palsy, or acute peripheral facial paralysis of unknown cause, is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.

Symptoms may include drooping of one half of the face, one-sidedness of the smile, and difficulty closing the affected eye.

Experts believe this condition, which can occur at any age, is caused by inflammation and irritation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face. This may be due to a reaction following a viral infection.

The cause of Bell’s palsy is not known

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