Joel Embiid just proved to the entire world that he should be the 2023 NBA MVP with 52 points in a 2-point win over the Boston Celtics. The game ended 101-103.
As Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets lose to the Houston Rockets, Embiid has solidified his case for MVP by single-handedly leading the 76ers to a crucial win against their rivals.
Embiid tonight:
52 PTS
13 REB
6 AST
2 BLK
20-25 FG
First player to reach those numbers in a game since MJ in 1992. pic.twitter.com/JfZDEIjYCR
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 5, 2023
One fan was celebrating the implications of this performance on the MVP race, “Embiid dropped 52 on the Celtics and Jokic just took an L to the Rockets.”
Embiid dropped 52 on the Celtics and Jokic just took an L to the Rockets pic.twitter.com/5HoyJFV4dY
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 5, 2023
Fans of the 76ers were excited about Embiid possibly locking up the MVP trophy, “We finally got our MVP man.”
https://twitter.com/PresidentEmbiid/status/1643439755974017025
A Thunder fan praised Embiid, “Despite the near catastrophic ending, Embiid dropping 50/13/6 on 20/25 shooting is one hell of an MVP statement.”
https://twitter.com/Three_Cone/status/1643439300950859777
In the tightest MVP race in modern history, this performance has sealed the trophy for Embiid in many eyes. “This might be the performance that gets Embiid the MVP.”
https://twitter.com/SJBasketball8/status/1643433920489308161
Embiid outscored all his teammates on the night, “Joel Embiid tonight: 52 points, 20 made field goals. Joel Embiid’s teammates: 51 points, 19 made field goals.”
https://twitter.com/_itsnotmatt/status/1643439965504696320
One fan attacked the media’s recency bias and believes Embiid should get the MVP now, “Since recency bias is the only thing that matters according to most media analysts these days surely this game means Embiid’s got MVP locked up unless they all wanna expose themselves as hypocrites.”
https://twitter.com/HoopsReference/status/1643439453896146944
Nikola Jokic playing just 24 minutes in a loss to the Rockets has further boosted Embiid’s MVP candidacy, “Embiid def locked up the MVP tonight, do NOT check the box score of Denver vs Houston.”
https://twitter.com/KGsGOAT/status/1643437225483415552
Another fan remarked on how amazing Joel is, “Legitimately run out of words to describe Joel Embiid. I’ve said it before & I’ll say it 100 more times, we are unbelievably blessed to watch #21 play basketball in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform.”
https://twitter.com/JoshReynolds24/status/1643436427580162048
This game could have been a second-round preview, as Boston and Philadelphia are more or less locked into their spots as the 2 and 3 seeds in the East. If Boston loses all their remaining games and the 76ers win at least 3 out of their remaining 4, the Celtics will lose the second seed in the conference.
The Celtics were led by a 26-point Derrick White performance. Jayson Tatum disappointed fans with an inefficient 19-point game to go against Embiid’s 52. James Harden had 20 points and 10 assists in a solid performance to help Philly to this win.
Are The Philadelphia 76ers Eyeing A Championship?
For over half a decade, the Philadelphia 76ers have been among the contenders in the East but have never managed to achieve in the postseason. Joel Embiid is still awaiting the first Conference Finals appearance of his career, so there is a lot of pressure on them to make a run this year. They are one of the 3 best teams in the NBA and could feasibly make a title push.
The team may look very different in the summer, with James Harden flirting with returning to the Houston Rockets as a free agent. If the 76ers lose Harden and can’t replace him with someone valuable, Embiid’s future may be in jeopardy. If he wins MVP this season, he needs to carry that value into the postseason to prove to everyone that he is the best center and player in the NBA.
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