Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Joel Embiid reveals that he received a diagnosis of Bell's palsy just prior to the commencement of the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star Joel Embiid reveals that he received a diagnosis of Bell's palsy just prior to the commencement of the playoffs.

Embiid expressed experiencing a range of symptoms including blurred vision and dry eyes.

The Associated Press reports that Joel Embiid, the All-Star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a type of facial paralysis. Embiid revealed that he has been dealing with symptoms of the condition since before the play-in tournament.

Sporting sunglasses at the post-game podium following his impressive 50-point performance in the Sixers’ victory against the New York Knicks in Game 3, Embiid disclosed experiencing various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes.

According to Embiid, he first noticed the onset of the condition just "a day or two" before the Sixers' match against the Miami Heat on April 17 during the play-in tournament. Despite feeling unwell, he managed to contribute significantly to the team's victory with 23 points and 15 rebounds, securing their spot in the playoffs.

Initially attributing his discomfort to migraines, Embiid downplayed the severity of his symptoms before eventually seeking medical attention after realizing he was not feeling well.

"I was really struggling physically," Embiid expressed. "My body just wasn't cooperating, especially my left side—my face, mouth, and eye. It's been a real challenge, no doubt. But giving up isn't in my DNA. I'll persevere through anything. It's frustrating, no denying that. But I refuse to let it be an excuse. I've got to keep pushing forward."

In Game 3, last season's NBA MVP, Embiid, showcased his dominance, shooting 13 of 19 from the field, sinking 19 of 21 free throws, and knocking down five 3-pointers.

The Knicks hold a 2-1 series lead, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia.

Throughout the series, Embiid has been seen wearing sunglasses and during a postgame interview after Game 2, he kept his head down in front of his locker to conceal his symptoms.

Embiid mentioned that there's no clear timeline for his recovery from Bell’s palsy, stating, “It hasn’t really improved much. Based on the discussions I've had, it could take weeks or even months. I just hope it remains stable. I value my appearance, and it's uncomfortable when my facial expressions are affected. It's an unfortunate situation, but I believe everything occurs for a reason.”

Takeaways from Game 3: Jokic and Gordon Shine as Nuggets Beat Lakers

Takeaways from Game 3: Jokic and Gordon Shine as Nuggets Beat Lakers

Aaron Gordon dazzles with a career-best playoff performance, propelling Denver to rediscover their peak form and pushing Los Angeles to the edge of elimination.

LOS ANGELES — If you're swept twice in two years, is it fair to say you've been vacuumed?

That's the stark reality facing the Lakers as they struggle against the Nuggets, a scenario that's hard to comprehend. It's not often you see a team, especially one led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, repeatedly dominated like this.

Yet, just like in last year's Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets have once again put the Lakers in a tight spot. Despite the Lakers holding double-digit leads in both Game 1 and Game 2, they couldn't hold on. Denver's 112-105 win on Thursday marked their 11th consecutive victory against the Lakers, extending their lead to 3-0 in the first-round series.

Here are five key points to take away from Game 3:

The Lakers began Game 3 with a burst of energy: Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, and LeBron James all slammed dunks, displaying a feisty and aggressive attitude. However, as the game progressed, their demeanor shifted. Their body language sagged, mistakes piled up—LeBron even dribbled the ball off his knee and out of bounds. D’Angelo Russell missed crucial shots and faced boos from the crowd. To make matters worse, he refused to engage with the team during timeouts.

The Lakers faltered. Their shooting was abysmal, their once-held lead slipped away, and they failed to ignite any hope in their home crowd. One can't help but wonder if their past struggles against the Nuggets weighed heavily on their minds, draining their confidence.

What's perplexing is that the Lakers had been competitive in their previous six playoff games, but this one was different—it was a blowout by the third quarter. Perhaps the pressure finally got to them.

Russell couldn't find his rhythm, going scoreless on seven attempts. Even Davis, who scored 33 points, only managed three in the final quarter. The Lakers' defense, especially in the paint, crumbled under pressure, indicating a team overwhelmed.

LeBron summed it up: "We lost focus on the details that drove us in the first half."

LeBron James expresses frustration towards NBA’s replay center over calls; Lakers fall to buzzer-beater, trailing Denver 2-0.

LeBron James expresses frustration towards NBA’s replay center over calls; Lakers fall to buzzer-beater, trailing Denver 2-0.

In Denver, LeBron James seethed as the Los Angeles Lakers squandered a prime chance. His frustration wasn't just about surrendering a 20-point lead or his own missed shot at the end. It extended to Jamal Murray's clutch buzzer-beater, sealing a 101-99 victory for the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their opening-round series. Yet, James' ire was aimed beyond the court—to the NBA's replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey. His anger stemmed from a crucial second-half foul reversal involving Michael Porter Jr. and D'Angelo Russell, where the league deemed Porter's contact marginal, fueling James' discontent.

"I'm completely baffled by what's happening in the replay center," remarked James, as his team prepares to return to Los Angeles trailing 2-0 ahead of Game 3 on Thursday. "D-Lo clearly takes a hit to the face on the drive. Why the (expletive) do we even have a replay center... it's nonsensical. It truly makes no sense, and it's incredibly frustrating."