NBA legend Isiah Thomas thanked for 'prayers and love' amid Bell's personal battle with disability
Two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas talked about his life.
During a recent appearance on former NBA coach Mark Jackson's “Come Talk 2 Me” podcast, Thomas revealed that he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy.
This condition has resulted in the muscles of his face becoming loose.
“I've gotten a lot of love from people saying, “Well, Isiah is sick, what's going on?” he said. “I haven't really told anyone, but I have Bell's palsy. … That's why you see me like this. I appreciate prayers and love. That's what's going through my mouth right now. I wanted everyone to know that. .”
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Retired NBA player Isiah Thomas on stage during “From the Hardwood to the Boardroom: An Interview with Isiah Thomas” at the 2023 ForbesBLK Conference at the Southern Exchange Ballrooms Nov. 6, 2023, in Atlanta. (Paras Griffin/WireImage)
According to the Mayo Clinic, Bell's palsy is a neurological condition that causes the muscles on one side of the face to suddenly weaken. People diagnosed with Bell's palsy have symptoms that range from mild to severe.
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The smile can appear on one side and the eye on the affected side can be difficult to close. Over time, the situation may improve.
Team head coach Isiah Thomas is introduced during the 2022 NBA Rising Stars Challenge at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland Feb. 18, 2022. (Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports)
Thomas is not the first former or current NBA player to experience Bell's palsy. Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers said he was diagnosed with the disease before April's playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas during the second half of the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., April 3, 2024. (Joe Camporeale/USA Today Sports)
Embiid averaged 33 points during the series.
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Thomas spent his entire NBA career with the Detroit Pistons, earning 12 All-Star team nods. He was named NBA Finals MVP in 1990.
After retiring, Thomas took a step into coaching and spent time coaching the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. He has also coached at the college level.
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