The Philadelphia 76ers‘ Joel Embiid put on an MVP-worthy performance in a tense regular-season game against their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics. Embiid scored a staggering 52 points to lead the team to a hard-fought win, leaving Philly’s head coach Doc Rivers in awe of his performance.
Despite some flaws in the team’s overall performance, Rivers couldn’t help but praise the 29 years old star, saying, “There are so many things we did wrong, but what we did right was Joel Embiid. The MVP race is over, like really.” Rivers went on to explain that Embiid’s performance had been the difference-maker, with the center accounting for half of the team’s points.
Embiid’s performance was particularly impressive given his history of struggling against the Celtics, and his ability to rise to the occasion against a strong rival team will be key as both teams head towards a potential second-round playoff matchup.
As the 2022-23 MVP race enters its final stretch, the battle for the award is tight. The Camaroonian Interantional is looking for his first MVP trophy, while Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both vying for their third. This season, the narrative has heavily favored Embiid, and with Jokic’s recent performance falling short, Embiid’s chances have only improved.
Embiid’s season averages of 33.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game are certainly MVP-caliber. With just three games remaining in the regular season, he is also in contention for the scoring title, needing to outscore Luka Doncic by 14 points to clinch the honor for a second consecutive year.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a wildcard contender for the MVP trophy, the 6’7″ tall professional’s remarkable performance against the Celtics, combined with his impressive season-long statistics, have put him in a strong position to win the award.
Rivers’ statement that “the MVP race is over” certainly reflects his belief that Embiid is the clear frontrunner, and it will be interesting to see if Embiid can maintain his momentum and lead the 76ers to success in the postseason.
Joel Embiid: A Strong Contender for the 2022-23 NBA MVP
Joel Embiid’s statistics speak for themselves. He is averaging 33.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game this season. He has led the Philadelphia 76ers to secure a playoff spot with 52 wins and 27 losses, currently sitting in the 3rd spot in the conference.
Embiid’s impact on the team goes beyond just his numbers. His leadership on and off the court has been invaluable in guiding the 76ers to success. His dominant performances in critical games against top teams have proven to be a game-changer for Philadelphia.
In a season with several strong MVP candidates, Embiid’s consistent excellence and dominant performances make him a strong contender for the award. His recent 52-point performance against the Boston Celtics only adds to his impressive resume this season.
It’s clear that Joel Embiid has put in the work and has made significant contributions to the success of the 76ers, making him a deserving candidate for the MVP award.
