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Former Knicks Coach Shares Bell's Palsy Diagnosis

A former coach of the New York Knicks has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.

Jeremy Brener

February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Isiah Thomas is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Isiah Thomas is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
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Former New York Knicks coach and NBA legend Isiah Thomas has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.

According to Johns Hopkins, Bell's Palsy is "an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis."

Thompson shared the diagnosis while appearing on former Knicks point guard Mark Jackson's Come And Talk 2 Me podcast.

"I know I have a lot of people watching, and I haven't really told anybody, but I have Bell's palsy," Thomas said h/t Detroit News reporter Coty M. Davis. "I appreciate the prayers and the love. But that's what is happening with my mouth right now."

Thomas was still healthy enough to make an appearance on NBA TV's pregame coverage for tonight's Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics matchup.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported me this past month," Thomas said on the broadcast.

Thomas, 63, spent all 13 years of his playing career with the Detroit Pistons. He transitioned into coaching in 2000 with the Indiana Pacers, where he spent three years. He was hired by the Knicks in 2006, compiling a record of 56-108 during his two seasons at the helm in the Big Apple.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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