In a thrilling clash between the last two NBA MVPs, Joel Embiid showcased his dominance with 41 points and 10 assists, leading the Philadelphia 76ers (28-14) to a hard-fought 126-121 victory over Nikola Jokic (25 points, 19 rebounds) and the Denver Nuggets (26-13).
The battle between the two standout centers unfolded with moments of brilliance, culminating in a postgame exchange that revealed the mutual respect between Embiid and Jokic.
As the final buzzer sounded, Embiid and Jokic shared a brief but impactful moment, with Embiid whispering words of admiration to the Nuggets’ center. When questioned about the exchange during the postgame huddle, Embiid opened up about the conversation.
“I just told him he’s the best player in the league,” affirmed Embiid. Reflecting on Jokic’s accomplishments, Embiid acknowledged the Nuggets’ championship run, emphasizing Jokic’s role as the Finals MVP. With genuine praise, Embiid encouraged Jokic to continue excelling on the court, recognizing him as the epitome of excellence in the league.
“Like I told you earlier, he won the championship. That’s the best team in the league. He’s the Finals MVP. So I told him ‘Keep doing your thing and that’s why you’re the best in the league,'” he said.
