Joel Embiid is once again going through a calvary of injuries this season, unfortunately, but this one might be the most bizarre of all.
Joel Embiidβs left eye π³ (h/t @TalkinKnicks)
— Overtime (@overtime) April 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/9B0ZLlrvkm
Joel is present at shoot arounds this morning, great news as people are questioning if heβs gonna play or not. pic.twitter.com/IyiOPEfm3r
— Joel Muse (@JEmbiidmuse) April 22, 2024
The condition is temporary?
Dr. Brian Sutterer, who often analyzes and tries to explain athletes’ injuries on YouTube, believes it could be nerve damage that receives the signal from the brain to blink, while another theory suggests Bell’s palsy, which is caused by a viral infection. In both cases, the condition is temporary, but it’s currently unclear whether it will affect Embiid’s availability in the next game and the rest of the playoffs and if he does play, he’ll likely wear protective glasses.
Without Embiid for two months, the 76ers have dropped from second to seventh place in the East and had to secure a playoff spot through the play-in, but after two games, they trail the Knicks 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
The next two games will be played in Philadelphia on Thursday and Sunday.