EMBIID HAS BELL'S PALSY, BUT DROPS 50

He confirms the diagnosis after helping the Sixers cut the Knicks’ play-off lead to 2-1

- 

National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid poured in a career play-off high of 50 points to propel the Philadelphia 76ers to a much-needed win over the New York Knicks on April 25, then confirmed that he is playing through Bell's palsy.

Reports surfaced on the same day that the Cameroon-born star had been treated for the past week for the condition, which causes weakness in the muscles of the face.

Asked about it after the Sixers' 125-114 home victory over the Knicks, who cut the deficit in their Eastern Conference play-off series to 2-1, Embiid said he had been dealing with it since before their play-in clash with the Miami Heat.

"It started a day or two before the Miami game," said Embiid, adding that he suffered migraine as well as muscle weakness that particularly affects his left eye and mouth.

"Yes, it's pretty annoying," added the centre, who wore sunglasses as he spoke to reporters.

"My left side of my face, my mouth and my eye. It's been tough.