Embiid’s Secret Struggle: Overcoming Bell’s Palsy and Knee Injuries to Lead Sixers in Playoffs

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has faced numerous setbacks due to a knee injury he sustained back in January during a game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite undergoing surgery and adhering to an eight-week recovery plan, Embiid returned to play in the final weeks of the regular season. Despite concerns about his knee, Embiid has not missed a game in the postseason, including those against the New York Knicks.

Despite his setbacks, Embiid has been a crucial player for Philadelphia, averaging impressive stats throughout the first two playoff games. In Thursday’s win against the Knicks, Embiid scored a career-high of 50 points, helping the Sixers secure their first playoff victory in 2024. While his status for future games remains uncertain, the Sixers remain hopeful that Embiid will continue to contribute as long as he can push through his setbacks.

Embiid’s ongoing knee injury recovery led him to be listed as questionable leading up to the playoff games against the Knicks. However, rumors began circulating that he was dealing with a mysterious setback after being seen wearing sunglasses during public appearances off the court. It was later reported that Embiid had developed Bell’s palsy during the Play-In Tournament against the Miami Heat and chose to keep this diagnosis private to avoid distractions for the team during their first round of playoffs.