In a crucial Game 5 matchup against the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers' star center, Joel Embiid, missed the team's morning shootaround due to a debilitating migraine. This adds to the worries surrounding Embiid's health, as he is also nursing a knee injury that has him listed as questionable for the game.

Embiid's injury status has become a point of contention throughout the season, with the 76ers often downplaying the severity of his ailments. Their lax injury reporting has resulted in multiple fines from the NBA. Despite this questionable listing, having Embiid play at anything less than 100 percent poses a significant problem for the team.

Complicating matters further, Embiid has been battling with Bell's palsy since before Philadelphia's Play-In victory over the Miami Heat. Following Thursday's Game 3 win against the Knicks, Embiid revealed that migraines were one of the initial symptoms he experienced from his Bell's palsy diagnosis.

The Knicks currently hold a 3-1 lead in the first-round series, putting the 76ers on the brink of elimination. To stay alive in the playoffs, Philadelphia will need to find ways to be productive even when Embiid is off the court. However, they will also rely heavily on the star center's dominance when he is on the floor.

Embiid underwent left knee surgery earlier in the season, causing him to miss two months of action. Since his return, he has been consistently listed as questionable for each game. Despite these uncertainties, Embiid has yet to miss a playoff game and has been delivering exceptional performances, averaging a playoff career-high 35 points in 40 minutes per game in this series.

Nevertheless, the presence of a migraine adds another layer of concern for the 76ers, who already have several issues to address. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr., another key player for Philadelphia, also missed the shootaround due to being under the weather but is expected to be listed as probable for Game 5.

Bell's palsy, a neurological disorder that causes facial paralysis or weakness, has undoubtedly added additional challenges for Embiid as he battles both his physical and neurological conditions on the court.

As the clock ticks down to Tuesday night's 7 pm tipoff, the Sixers find themselves in a do-or-die situation. How they navigate Embiid's injuries and find solutions without him will likely determine their fate in the series. The team and fans hold their collective breath, hoping for a strong and resilient performance from their star center in this crucial game.