Sixers’ Joel Embiid in the spotlight even more than usual ahead of Nikola Jokic matchup
The Joker has come to town.
Still, even with the two-time MVP in Philadelphia, the spotlight on Joel Embiid seems a bit brighter than usual.
First, its notable that Embiid and Nikola Jokic indeed matching up Saturday at Wells Fargo Center (3 p.m./ABC) is not set in stone. Embiid was listed as questionable with left foot soreness and Jokic was probable with left hamstring tightness. The Nuggets star sat out Denvers defeat Wednesday to the Bucks, which dropped the top-seeded Nuggets to 34-15. The Sixers 31-16 mark is second in the Eastern Conference.
After the Sixers built their winning streak to six games Wednesday by beating the Nets, Embiid indicated that he did not expect his foot issue to swiftly resolve.
I think everybodys hurt, he said. Ive just got to fight through it, but Im good. Just got to keep pushing and try to keep doing it. Its not easy, but got to keep doing it.
On a positive note for the Sixers, Embiid was the only player on the teams injury report. Meanwhile, Denvers report also included Jamal Murray (left hip sprain questionable), Bruce Brown (left knee inflammation questionable), Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons questionable), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right wrist sprain probable).
If the two ultimately play, Embiid vs. Jokic has a strong chance to overshadow anything else in Saturdays matchup. Theres been plenty of attention on Embiid in the lead-up to the game, too. On Thursday, he missed out on an All-Star starter spot despite being the Easts top scorer. And on Friday, the NBA announced that Embiid has been fined $25,000 for his Joel Embiid has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for this D-Generation X celebration 😅 The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/EjWqNElZIW
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Jokic told reporters Embiid deserves to be an All-Star starter, per Nikola Jokic said he was surprised Joel Embiid wasn’t named an All-Star starter: “He deserves it.”
Thats crazy. I guess thats how the voting goes, but we all know Joel is Joel, Tyrese Maxey said Friday. Hell go out there and maybe hell use it as motivation to keep killing it. I dont think he needs much motivation for that. But hes balling right now, so kudos to him.
Embiid on Wednesday praised Jokic, whos averaged 25.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.9 assists, while insisting the afternoon wont only be about the two big men.
Obviously Jokic is a great player, deserving of those last two MVPs, Embiid said. Anytime you play great players, especially at your position, it is great. Its a great matchup, but just like tonight, the goal is to win the game. Its Sixers against Nuggets, its not Joel against Jokic. Obviously they have not just him.
They have a lot of great players on that team and theyre playing very well, whether its shooting threes; Aaron Gordon has been fantastic; (Caldwell-Pope); Jamal Murray I think is back to where he was. Hes the reason why they got to the conference finals two years ago and I think hes back to where he used to be. So its going to be a good matchup. Just try to do whatever it takes to win.
When Embiid and Jokic faced off last March, Bones Hyland and the Nuggets superior bench decided the game.
So yes, theres a lot that matters Saturday besides the two superstar centers. But in the event that both play, theres no question everyone will be focused on them and for good reason.
Its going to be a sight to see, because they both are so talented with the basketball, Georges Niang said. They can score pretty much at all three levels, and they can handle the basketball. And they draw double teams and both can pass. So they kind of are the only centers, I think, in the league that can do all those things.
Its a treat. Were definitely going to see a show tomorrow with how talented those two are and their unique skill sets, especially from the center position.
