Joel Embiid had an inspired night on Thursday. With 50 points, the star led the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-104 victory in Game 3 of the first round playoff series against the New York Knicks. It was the player’s best performance in an NBA postseason game, and all while dealing with weakened facial muscles. At the end of the confrontation, he revealed that he has Bell’s Palsy, a facial nerve dysfunction that causes a temporary inability to move one side of the face.
– I think it all started a day or two before the game with Miami (Heat, in the play-in). I had severe migraines and thought it was nothing. It’s really annoying, you know, with the left side of my face, my mouth and my eye… So it’s been difficult. But I don’t give up, I have to keep fighting. But it’s regrettable. That’s how I see things. But it’s not an excuse. I have to keep fighting – said Embiid.
Embiid has stated that Bell’s Palsy has affected his vision at times. He had to constantly use eye drops to keep his eye from drying out. The Sixers star doesn’t know how long he will have to deal with muscle weakness on the left side of his face.
– I have a beautiful face. I don’t like it when my mouth is turned the other way. Like I said, unfortunate situation, but everything happens for a reason. Like I said, I need to take care of myself mentally.
Last season’s MVP, Embiid left Game 2 of the series saying that the Sixers would turn the match around with the Knicks despite having lost the first two games. The 50-point performance on Thursday showed that the star can deliver on his promises.
– I was lucky to have hit some shots. But, you know, I have to keep holding on, pressure or not. I have to keep trusting myself, especially since physical abilities are somewhat limited. I have to keep trusting myself, I have to keep pushing myself to put myself in better situations to be successful – said Embiid.
Controversial flagrant foul
The Knicks were upset with the refereeing of Game 3 of the series because Embiid was not excluded from the court. Still in the first quarter, the Sixers star went to the ground in an attempt to catch a foul attack by Mitchell Robinson, which was not noted. He then held the legs of the Knicks player, who fell. The New York team called for a flagrant foul 2, which would have taken Embiid off the court, but the referees unanimously decided to give a flagrant foul 1.
– It was dirty – said Donte DiVicenzo, Knicks player.
Embiid explained his side of the story.
– I tried to make sure he didn’t fall on me, because obviously we know the history I have with Kuminga falling on my knee. So I kind of had some flashbacks, when I got to that point. It was a pity. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. In these situations I have to protect myself, because I have been in many situations where I am always the recipient of the bad ending. So yes, it was unfortunate, but it’s a physical game. They want to bring in the physicality as well, and it goes both ways. I don’t leave myself. But yeah, I just need to keep being myself, being aggressive and physical,” Embiid said.
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