The 2023 MVP is back in top form when his team needed him the most.
The Philadelphia 76ers prevented a 0-3 deficit by pulling off a gritty victory over the New York Knicks, 125-114.
Joel Embiid, just two weeks removed from his long layoff due to a knee injury, scored a playoff career-high 50 points in the win. He also pulled eight rebounds and gave four assists.
Tyrese Maxey contributed 25 points, while Kelly Oubre poured in 15 points in the win.
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Embiid dominated the game, but one thing that fans and social media "critics" can't help but get distracted by was the Sixers stars' actions throughout the game.
There was a slight deformation on the player's right eye, which some think suggests the team is hiding something about his health status.
Is Embiid playing while suffering from a facial complication?
Sports doctor Brian Sutterer thinks the player is playing through Bell's palsy based on his initial observation of his facial deformity, especially around the eye.
Sutterer made his assessment based on a report by Sixers reporter Erin Grugan.
RE: Joel Embiid's eye issue (that's my beat now)
— Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) April 26, 2024
The issue may not be just affecting his eye. It appears the left side of his mouth seems a bit drooped as well.
Obviously doesn't affect the ability to play ball as much as the eye, but just wanted to note it. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/E09KmFOsQt
The Phildelphia 76ers confirmed the speculation
Shortly after the win, fans' worries were confirmed as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski announced that Embiid suffered from Bell's Palsy, although he is now recovering.
"Sixers star Joel Embiid has been treated for a mild case of Bell's Palsy for the past week. The condition began during the play-in victory over Miami but he has wanted to keep it private to avoid distractions for his team," Wojnarowski wrote on X.
His effort to not distract the team probably succeeded, but some took notice.
Embiid has been playing well in the ongoing 2024 NBA Playoffs, although in the first two games, it was visible how he tried not to show his face in front of the reporter when talking about the loss.
Dr. Sutterer was observing Embiid as early as April 24.
"This image makes some type of nerve injury/damage for Embiid very likely. See how the left forehead doesn't wrinkle but the right does?" he said.
"That means the left side isn't getting nerve innervation like the right. Think of a Bell's palsy phenomenon but this seems isolated to the upper branch of the cranial nerve and not the whole thing, otherwise his mouth would droop too."
What is Bell's palsy, and will it cause Embiid to miss games?
Based on his performance in the past two weeks, Embiid was not affected at all by Bell's Palsy.
It causes parts of the face to deform, although they are resolved over time.
It can only affect a person if the eye injury becomes too severe that the patient cannot move or close it anymore.
A person suffering from Bell's Palsy can fully recover in three to six months.
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