A Joel Embiid The heights of Denver definitely make him dizzy or, at the very least, the MVP has some problem when Nikola Jokic acts as host. The Cameroonian, perhaps taking its toll on Monday’s tremendous effort and his 70 points, was absent from the Nuggets-Sixers that ended in victory for the champion (111-105) due to discomfort in his left knee. An absence with which he completed five years without playing on the Nuggets court, in which he has not appeared since 2019. Embiid, who had called on Jokic to meet in Denver after beating him in Philly, could not keep his word.
And the Ball Arena, which rightly adores the Joker, gave free rein to its imagination to mock an Embiid who is more notable after not making an appearance in last year’s duel with the MVP at play. From the traditional whistles when the interior left the locker room tunnel to sit on the bench to “Missing” signs with the center’s face, to shouts of “Where is Embiid?”, the Nuggets’ parody repertoire had it all. .
Jokic and Embiid greet each other
David Zalubowski / LaPresse
Embiid, although unintentionally after being injured against the Pacers, could have looked bad but the Sixers could have looked good not only without their leader, but also without their favorite teammates, Tyrese Maxey y Tobias Harris. And, despite facing the entire Nuggets on another fun day in Nikola Jokic’s office -26 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists-, the champion could not shake off the stubborn Sixers until the last minute in a tight game in which even Philly led by 8 midway through the third quarter.
Paul Reed, Embiid’s substitute at an infinite distance from the Cameroonian, scored the game of his life and reached 30 points and 13 rebounds in his best score at 24 years old. He followed Kelly Oubre Jr with 25, while Patrick Beverley, A tough guy but with a lot of finesse, he masterfully led the Sixers with a double-double of 17 points and 11 assists.
The Sixers’ secondaries made quite a statement to disperse some doubts about the Pennsylvania team’s ability as a contender when many question whether Philly will shake up the market in search of someone to reinforce a roster that seems to lack something more for the ring.
In Denver, the party was also complete at the team performance level, with 23 points for Jamal Murray, 20 for Michael Porter Jr. and 18 for Aaron Gordon. Round night in the City of the Mile while Joel Embiid puts the MVP at even greater risk, because if he misses six more games he will no longer be able to reach the minimum of 65 meetings. Denver ruled: it cannot be that the MVP does not go to the other’s house.
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2024-01-28 10:09:12
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