76ers Star Dealing With Bell’s Palsy, Vows To Continue Playing

Bell’s Palsy is a condition in which there is facial weakness/paralysis due to injury to the seventh facial nerve (aka the cranial nerve). Patients may have issues with winking, smile asymmetry, and mouth dropping. It’s usually caused by a virus but can also occur due to trauma.

There had been some speculation about Joel Embiid’s face. People had wondered why he was wearing sunglasses and if it was linked to an issue with his eyes. Now, it’s clear that it was linked to his Bell’s Palsy.

Embiid Won’t Quit

Despite the plethora of injuries Joel is dealing with, Sixers fans can be sure of his commitment to the franchise.

“Yes, it’s pretty annoying. My left side of my face, my mouth, and my eye. It’s been tough. But I’m not a quitter. I’m going to keep fighting through anything. It’s unfortunate, that’s the way I look at it. But it’s not an excuse. I’ve got to keep pushing,” Embiid said.

He has dealt with injuries since winter. On January 30, he suffered a meniscus injury, which led to surgery in February. Joel avoided setbacks in his recovery and returned to the lineup after an eight-week absence.

Despite facing significant injuries throughout the second half of the season and playoffs, Embiid has contributed significantly to Philadelphia’s efforts. In the initial two games, he maintained impressive averages of 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, despite the Sixers losing to the Knicks.

In game three, Embiid showcased his most dominant playoff performance yet. He made 13 of 19 field goal attempts and had a stellar 19-21 record from the free-throw line, resulting in a playoff career-high 50 points. It’s the first time a player has scored 20 in the playoffs with fewer than 20 field goals attempted.

Although Embiid’s availability remains uncertain in the near future due to potential setbacks, the Sixers are hopeful that he will continue to contribute to the team’s success as long as he can overcome these challenges.