Nikola Jokic Knocks Joel Embiid Off Top of NBA’s MVP Ladder
Don’t act surprised. This week, NBA.com’s MVP ladder did not feature the Philadelphia 76ers’ big man Joel Embiid as the top option. Instead, Embiid has been knocked off the top in favor of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Everybody assumed it was coming, considering Embiid missed the Monday night matchup against Jokic and the Nuggets due to calf tightness. While one game shouldn’t dictate the winner for the season-long award, it seems the MVP race is close enough to shake things up when one player misses a game and the other notches a triple-double.
Michael C. Wright of NBA.com explained Jokic’s recent promotion from the second spot to the first:
“Jokic’s standing at the top could prove tenuous in an MVP race that’s shaping up to be the closest since 1989-90, when Magic Johnson bested Charles Barkley in a vote separated by 22 points. Interestingly, Jokic sat out of Denver’s 107-88 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday with right calf tightness. With Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets are close to clinching the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. Jokic served up his 29th triple-double in Embiid’s absence on Monday, and, in 16 appearances since the All-Star break, Jokic has increased his scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.”
Now, here’s what was said about Embiid:
“Embiid returned from Monday’s absence in a loss to the Nuggets to light up the Dallas Mavericks for 25 points and nine rebounds two nights later. That game marked the NBA scoring leader’s 56th outing with at least 25 points and five rebounds, according to research from Stathead. Embiid said he first felt his calf injury in a March 22 win at Chicago, and the club held him out in the second half of that contest before he returned for a back-to-back set at Golden State and Phoenix on Friday and Saturday before sitting out Monday at Denver. The third-place Sixers host Toronto on Friday at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass). Prioritizing health may be the way to go for a squad poised to make serious noise in the postseason.”
At this point, neither guy will admit they are competing for the MVP award. Jokic has two to his name already and seems tired of the attention the MVP race brings.
Meanwhile, Embiid knows the pressure is on the Sixers to get past the second round. In order for them to do that, Embiid has to do what he can to keep himself healthy, as that’s been a struggle to do over the last couple of years.
This week, Embiid is no longer at the top of the NBA’s MVP ladder and doesn’t seem to be the betting favorite anymore. The good news for the Sixers’ big man is that ESPN’s recent straw poll revealed that he might be in the lead by a super slim margin.
It will be a photo finish for the MVP award, and every game seems to matter down the stretch of the season. One thing is for sure, though. Neither of these guys are going to push their current setbacks beyond the limit for a regular season award. As they both have something to prove in the postseason, Embiid and Jokic will likely play when they can and live with the results.
Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.
