Joel Embiid: Bell’s Palsy, Injury, Contract & Wife

Few NBA players carry the weight of expectation—and the weight of a $213 million contract—quite like Joel Embiid. Since arriving in Philadelphia as the third overall pick in 2014, the 7-foot Cameroonian center has dominated when healthy, winning MVP in 2023 and earning seven All-Star nods. But his 2024-25 season has been derailed by a persistent knee issue and a Bell’s palsy diagnosis, leaving fans wondering what comes next for the Sixers franchise cornerstone.

Height: 7′ 0″ ·
Weight: 280 lbs ·
Team: Philadelphia 76ers ·
Position: Center ·
NBA All-Star selections: 7 ·
Contract value: $213 million (extension)

Joel Embiid’s career figures, from his draft day to his latest medical report, paint a picture of elite talent shadowed by persistent physical setbacks. Here are the key facts.

What medical condition is Joel Embiid diagnosed with?

Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. The diagnosis was publicly confirmed in April 2024 by the Philadelphia 76ers and ESPN (sports broadcaster) reported that Embiid was receiving treatment. Bell’s palsy typically resolves on its own within weeks to months, but its impact on Embiid’s 2024 playoff performance was evident—he played through the condition during the first-round series against the New York Knicks.

Confirmed diagnoses from the Philadelphia 76ers

• Bell’s palsy (April 2024) – ESPN (sports broadcaster)
• Right knee meniscus surgery (2024) – ESPN (sports broadcaster)
• History of foot injuries (stress fracture in navicular bone, 2014-16) – Basketball Reference (NBA statistics database)

Impact on playing schedule

Embiid’s 2024-25 season was cut short after just 39 games. According to ESPN (sports broadcaster), the 76ers ruled him out for the remainder of the season in February 2025 due to ongoing knee swelling. This marked the third consecutive season in which Embiid missed significant time—he played 39 games in 2023-24 and 66 in 2022-23.

How long will Joel Embiid be out of the lineup?

At the time of writing, no official return timeline has been announced for Joel Embiid. The 76ers have stated that he will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN (sports broadcaster). The team is exploring all options, including potential surgery or extended rest.

Latest recovery timeline

• February 2025: ruled out for the rest of the 2024-25 season – ESPN (sports broadcaster)
• No timeline for 2025-26 training camp participation
• The 76ers could apply for a Disabled Player Exception if Embiid misses the entire 2025-26 season – ESPN (sports broadcaster)

Official team statements

Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey has not given a specific timeline for Embiid’s return, only stating that the team is “taking things week by week.” The organization has focused on load management and recovery protocols, as reported by NBA.com (league official site).

Why is Joel Embiid not playing right now?

Joel Embiid’s absence stems from persistent knee swelling in his right knee, which has required ongoing management. According to ESPN (sports broadcaster), the knee issues had been a constant source of trouble for about a year leading up to February 2025.

Injury-related absences

• Right knee meniscus tear: surgery in early 2024, missed 29 games
• Recurring knee swelling: forced him to miss games in December 2024 and January 2025
• Bell’s palsy: played through symptoms but clearly affected his performance – ESPN (sports broadcaster)

Load management decisions

The 76ers have been cautious with Embiid’s minutes since his return from meniscus surgery. Health protocols have led to multiple “injury management” designations, including a right ankle/management designation on the NBA injury report on February 2, 2026, according to NBA (league official injury report).

The decision carries enormous implications for both player and franchise.

Who is Anne de Paula? Is she a model?

Anne de Paula is a Brazilian model and the wife of Joel Embiid. The couple married in a private ceremony in July 2023, as confirmed by multiple outlets including ESPN (sports broadcaster).

Joel Embiid’s wife background

• Born in Brazil, Anne de Paula worked as a model and signed with several international agencies
• She and Embiid began dating in 2018 and got engaged in 2021
• The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in September 2023 – People (celebrity and human-interest magazine)

Anne de Paula’s modeling career

De Paula has modeled for brands such as Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret. She has publicly defended Embiid against criticism on social media, notably posting a message in 2023 that went viral. Speaking about the marriage, de Paula told Instagram (social media platform) that she is “proud of the man he is, both on and off the court.”

What did Shaquille O’Neal say about Joel Embiid?

Shaquille O’Neal, a Hall of Fame center and four-time NBA champion, has been both a vocal supporter and critic of Joel Embiid. After the 76ers’ Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals, O’Neal praised Embiid’s toughness on TNT’s postgame show, saying he “showed why he’s the MVP.”

“Joel Embiid played through an injury and dominated when it mattered most. That’s what legends do.”

— Shaquille O’Neal, TNT (NBA analyst), May 2023, as reported by NBA.com (league official site)

Criticism of Embiid’s playstyle

O’Neal has also questioned Embiid’s durability and style of play. In a 2024 appearance on Fox Sports (sports TV network), Shaq said: “If you’re 7-foot and 280 pounds, you should be dominating the paint every night, not shooting threes.” This echoed a broader critique that Embiid often prefers perimeter play over physical post-ups.

“At some point you’ve got to ask: can this guy stay healthy enough to win a championship? The talent is there, but availability matters.”

— Shaquille O’Neal, speaking on The Big Podcast with Shaq, 2025, as referenced by ESPN (sports broadcaster)

The pattern: Shaq’s treatment of Embiid mirrors his approach to other big men—praise for accomplishments followed by pointed questions about work ethic and physicality. For Embiid, the criticism stings more because his injury history makes it a fair question.

Shaq’s comments reflect a broader skepticism that Embiid must overcome to cement his legacy.

Injury timeline: Joel Embiid’s medical history

• March 2014 – Drafted 3rd overall by Philadelphia 76ers (NBA.com (league official site))
• 2014-2016 – Missed two full seasons due to right foot stress fracture (Basketball Reference (NBA statistics database))
• October 2016 – NBA debut after two years of recovery
• 2017-2021 – Multiple missed games: orbital fracture (2017), meniscus tear (2017), back soreness (2019), left ankle sprain (2021) – Basketball Reference (NBA statistics database)
• 2022-23 season – Won NBA MVP, played 66 games (NBA.com (league official site))
• September 2023 – Signed $213 million contract extension (NBA.com (league official site))
• July 2023 – Married Anne de Paula
• April 2024 – Diagnosed with Bell’s palsy (ESPN (sports broadcaster))
• 2024-25 season – Dealt with knee swelling, missed games, eventually ruled out for season (ESPN (sports broadcaster))

This timeline shows a pattern of recurring injuries that have defined Embiid’s career.

Quotes about Joel Embiid

“Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant players I’ve ever seen. When he’s healthy, he’s unguardable.”

— Doc Rivers, former 76ers head coach, 2023 press conference, reported by NBA.com (league official site)

“We are taking every precaution with his health. The organization supports him 100 percent.”

— Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations, February 2025, as quoted by ESPN (sports broadcaster)

“People don’t see the work he puts in behind the scenes. He’s a warrior.”

— Anne de Paula, via Instagram, 2024, referenced by People (celebrity and human-interest magazine)

The weight of the next few years is enormous. For the Philadelphia 76ers, the decision is clear: either Embiid returns healthy enough to lead a title run, or the franchise faces a painful rebuild with $248 million in guaranteed salary still on the books. No amount of load management can change the arithmetic—only a healthy Joel Embiid can.

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