Following the Philadelphia 76ers' victory against the New York Knicks on Thursday night, Joel Embiid revealed that he has been grappling with Bell's palsy, a condition characterized by facial muscle weakness and discomfort.
"It's quite bothersome. It's affecting the left side of my face, my mouth, and my eye, so it's been challenging," shared Embiid. "However, I'm not one to give up, so I need to persevere through this. It's unfortunate, that's how I see it. It's not an excuse, I have to keep pushing forward."
Embiid mentioned that he first noticed the symptoms a day or two prior to the NBA Play-In Tournament matchup against the Miami Heat following severe migraines.
Lately, Embiid has been spotted wearing sunglasses indoors before games in the playoff series. Additionally, he is not fully recovered from a left knee injury that kept him out of action for two months.
"I simply adore playing the game," expressed Embiid. "I want to be on the court as much as possible. I only have around eight more years in this game, so I aim to relish every moment and strive for victory."
Embiid managed to achieve a remarkable 50 points in the Sixers' recent victory against the Knicks during Game 3 of the NBA playoffs.
Following Thursday's triumph, the Sixers are now trailing 2-1 in the series. The upcoming Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
Understanding Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is described as "an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis," as per information from Johns Hopkins Medicine.
According to Johns Hopkins, this condition is a result of damage to the facial nerve, typically causing pain and discomfort on one side of the individual's face or head.
Bell's palsy is usually not permanent, although in rare instances, it may persist. Johns Hopkins mentions that there is currently no known cure for Bell's palsy, but recovery often begins within two to six months from the onset of symptoms.
The exact cause of Bell's palsy remains unknown.
