Nikola Jokic's Honest Statement on Joel Embiid After Nuggets vs. 76ers

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Initially not listed on the injury report, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was a late scratch against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. This was very disappointing, as fans had been looking forward to the matchup between Embiid and Nikola Jokic.
Following the game, Jokic was asked about Embiid and said, "If you're a basketball fan or a soccer fan or NFL fan, the things that he's doing right now, it's historic, and we need to appreciate that... Whether you're a Denver fan or whatever fan, I think you need to appreciate what he is doing."
Nikola Jokic on Joel Embiid after the #Nuggets' win over Philly:
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) January 28, 2024
"If you're a basketball fan or a soccer fan or NFl fan, the things that he's doing right now, it's historic, and we need to appreciate that." pic.twitter.com/D9JGi4toS6
There is a lot of mutual respect between Jokic and Embiid, even despite the ongoing debates that persist about the two players in the media. Once again neck and neck in the MVP race, Jokic and Embiid are arguably the two best players in basketball, but don't entertain those debates themselves.
While it is very unfortunate that Embiid did not play in this game, fans did get one exciting matchup between he and Jokic not too long ago. It would have been great to see Embiid battle Jokic in Denver, but perhaps these two teams could face off in the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets are hoping to defend their championship this season, and Philadelphia is looking to break through and finally reach the level Denver got to last June.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.