76ers’ Joel Embiid Named 2023 NBA MVP Finalist

With the 2022-2023 NBA regular season in the rearview, the MVP race has concluded. Although the winner is not yet revealed as ballots are still being cast, the NBA announced the three finalists for each award category on Friday night.

To no surprise, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is an MVP finalist for the third-straight season.

Ahead of the Sixers’ 2021 playoff run, Embiid was named a finalist for the first time in his career. At the time, he was considered for the award alongside Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Jokic won the award for the first time.

The following year, Embiid was named a finalist for the second-straight season. Jokic joined him once again, with Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo replacing Curry as a finalist. For the second year in a row, Jokic took home the title.

Will the third time be a charm for Embiid? Only time will tell. Once again, Embiid will be considered alongside Jokic and Antetokounmpo.

This season, Embiid leveled up his season averages. After being crowned the scoring champion by averaging 31 points per game in 68 matchups, Embiid put up a career-high 33 points per game this season. Once again, he led the NBA in the scoring category.

Along with his scoring, Embiid averaged ten rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks per game. He shot at a career-high 55 percent from the field and knocked down 86 percent of his free throws.

Overall, the Sixers finished the year off with a 54-28 record, which placed them in the Eastern Conference’s third seed ahead of the playoffs. With Embiid on the floor, the Sixers achieved a 43-23 record this season.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.