Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis that he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Embiid took the podium wearing sunglasses after scoring 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 victory over the New York Knicks and said he has battled several symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes.
Embiid said he began experiencing the affliction a day or two before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament. Embiid scored 23 points and 15 rebounds in the victory that sent the Sixers to the playoffs.
Embiid complained of migraines but “thought it was nothing” before finally notifying doctors that he wasn’t feeling well.
“My body just wasn’t feeling it,” he said.
“Yes, it’s pretty annoying. The left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. It’s been tough. But I’m not one to give up. I’m going to keep fighting anything. It’s unfortunate, that’s how I look.” “. But it’s not an excuse. “I have to keep pushing.”
Embiid, last season’s NBA MVP, made 13 of 19 field goals, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers in Game 3.
The Knicks lead the series 2-1 and Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
Embiid had been wearing sunglasses throughout the series and conducted a post-Game 2 interview with his head bowed in front of his locker to hide his symptoms.
Embiid said he doesn’t have a timetable for how long it will take to recover from Bell’s palsy.
“Actually, it hasn’t necessarily gotten better,” he said.
“With the conversations I’ve had, it could be weeks, it could be months. I just hope it stays that way. I have a beautiful face. I don’t like it when my mouth looks the other way. . Sad situation but everything happens for a reason.”
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AP