Embiid Leads 76ers Past Knicks with Bell’s Palsy, Advances East Semis

Joel Embiid led his Philadelphia 76ers team to an impressive 125-114 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3, despite revealing after the game that he is receiving treatment for mild Bell’s palsy symptoms. The reigning NBA MVP put on a historic performance with a playoff career-high of 50 points while shooting efficiently from both inside and outside the arc. Embiid explained to reporters following the matchup that his facial paralysis condition, known as Bell’s palsy, had started causing symptoms “a day or two” before their Play-In tournament game against Miami Heat on April 17th. The NBA announced afterwards that it was a league playoff history first for Embiid to score such an impressive number of points with less than twenty field goal attempts.
Embiid’s condition, which causes weakness in facial muscles and can result in one side of the face appearing droopy or causing eye-closure issues, has been annoying since he began experiencing migraines related symptoms prior to that matchup against Miami Heat a couple weeks ago. Embiid said during his postgame interview with reporters that while it’s unfortunate for him personally, he isn’t using this as an excuse and is determined not to quit fighting through the discomfort caused by Bell’s palsy.
The Cameroon-born superstar added further detail about how Bell’s Palsy has been affecting his vision lately. He shared that he has been required to apply eye drops because of its effects on his dryness level in affected areas around eyesight which makes it quite uncomfortable for him at times, but still managed a smile as the situation was discussed during interviews with local news teams last evening in front of large-capacity TV sets arranged on platforms built exclusively for such purposes.
Embiid’s impressive performance saw Philadelphia win their first game against New York after losing both matches from the opening round series earlier this week, while also helping to ease some pressure off his teammates who have been struggling with injuries throughout recent weeks leading up to these playoffs games. Embiid’s 76ers squad managed to gain momentum at various intervals in different stages of this highly charged third-game meeting against the Knicks; particularly during a crucial third quarter where he scored an impressive eighteen points outshooting oppositions for another ten over nine game time durations altogether within their own home arena.
Point guard Tyrese Maxey, who was named NBA’s most Improved player in late April as Embiid congratulated his young and promising teammate during a recent postgame interview session after scoring 25 points on Thursday evening also had a vital contribution towards this decisive win against New York Knicks. Kelly Oubre Jr added an additional fifteen more, making him another pivotal factor that helped the Sixers secure their first victory in these playoffs games so far this season.
Elsewhere in last night’s other game highlights saw reigning champions Denver Nuggets beating Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening to go three up against James and Co as they head into a fourth-game showdown at Staples Center later next week. This series has been eerily similar to the 2023 Western Conference finals which witnessed Denver sweep LA four nil, leaving no hope for LeBron James led Los Angeles Lakers with seemingly insurmountable task in this contest currently after last night’s convincing game by their western division competitors (The Denver Nuggets).
Anthony Davis scored 33 points and grabbed fifteen rebounds while his teammate King James had twenty-six more alongside Austin Reaves who added another solid outing scoring twenty-two more to assist Los Angeles’ performance, which nevertheless did not seem enough as the Lakers lost by eighty-nine.
Back in Eastern Conference action last night saw Orlando Magic win a lopsided game against Cleveland Cavaliers by recording one hundred and twenty one points after having suffered a bitter pill of defeat during their previous two games played earlier this week, with Rookie Of The Year awardee for 2018/9 – Paolo Banchero scoring an impressive thirty-one points to lead the way as Orlando’s leading scorer alongside his fourteen rebounds in another vital contribution that helped Magic pick up their first win of these playoffs games.
Cleveland still holds a two one advantage heading into next week’s game four which is scheduled for Saturday night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Ohio; where Cavs will be hoping to level the series and force this Eastern Conference matchup back onto Philadelphia’s home turf in order to continue their quest towards securing an elusive playoff victory against Joel Embiid’s Sixers.