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After losing the first two games, the Philadelphia 76ers registered their first win against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1. Joel Embiid registered his playoff career-high 50 points as the Sixers beat the Knicks 125-114 at the Wells Fargo Center. However, it was later revealed that the 30-year-old Embiid has been battling a mild case of Bell's Palsy for the past week.
In the 76ers' win against the Knicks, Embiid registered 50 points, including 5 three-pointers, and became the first center of all-time with 50+ points and 5+ threes in an NBA playoff game. The Cameroonian-American center also became the first Sixers to score 50 points in a postseason game since legendary Allen Iverson.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, " Sixers star Joel Embiid has been treated for a mild case of Bell’s palsy for the past week. The condition began during the play-in victory over Miami but he has wanted to keep it private to avoid distractions for his team."
He added, " There had been some speculation about why he had been wearing sunglasses and whether there was an issue with his eyes, but that was related to the Bell’s palsy — which impacts facial muscles in one-half of face. Embiid had 50 points in Game 3 victory over Knicks tonight. "
Joel Embiid receives flagrant 1 for dirty play on Mitchell Robinson
In the first quarter of the game, Embiid received a flagrant 1 foul for his dirty play on Knicks' Mitchell Robinson. After contact with OG Annunoby, Embiid fell on the floor while Robinson received the pass just below the rim. As the Knicks center jumped to score the bucket, the last season's MVP grabbed his leg, sending Robinson to the ground.
Watch the video here: