Embiid treated for mild case of Bell's palsy

Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid received treatment for a mild case of Bell's palsy that started soon before the team's play-in win over the Miami Heat last week, he told reporters including The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov.

Embiid's been playing through the issue and wanted to keep the situation private to prevent distractions, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bell's palsy is "an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis," according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Recovery usually begins between two weeks and six months.

"It's unfortunate, that's the way I look at it." said Embiid. "But that's not an excuse, I've got to keep pushing."

The ailment didn't seem to affect Embiid in Thursday's Game 3, as the reigning Most Valuable Player scored a playoff career-high 50 points in a 125-114 victory over the New York Knicks. The Sixers trail 2-1 in the first-round series.