Jokic's Nuggets best Embiid's 76ers in duel between top MVP candidates
Joel Embiid scored a game-high 34 points, but reigning MVP Nikola Jokic got the last laugh as his Denver Nuggets rode a big fourth-quarter surge to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-110 on the road Monday.
Here's how the two MVP front-runners stacked up in the City of Brotherly Love.
| STAT | Embiid | Jokic |
|---|---|---|
| PTS | 34 | 22 |
| REB | 9 | 13 |
| AST | 4 | 8 |
| STL | 1 | 2 |
| BLK | 2 | 2 |
| FG | 11-20 | 8-16 |
| 3PT | 3-3 | 1-3 |
| +/- | +2 | -9 |
Jokic and Embiid have been linked as co-MVP favorites all season, with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks coming on late as a dark-horse candidate.
Embiid couldn't help but tip his cap to Jokic after the game.
"He's a great player, great competition, I love playing against the best," Embiid said, according to The Associated Press. "He's a monster. I love watching him. But he's also easy to study."
Despite the eagerly anticipated head-to-head matchup, Nuggets coach Mike Malone admitted he didn't get too caught up in the stakes of the clash.
"I understand the excitement. You have two MVP candidates, and rightfully so," Malone said postgame. "But I don't go to bed at night, saying I can't wait for Nikola and Joel to go at it. I'm just trying to figure out a way to help our group get back to winning."
Denver's victory pulls the team even with Philadelphia in the wins column at 41 apiece. The 41-28 Nuggets have two more losses but boast a superior net rating.