On Monday night, Joel Embiid made a triumphant return from his latest injury, scoring an impressive 41 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 124-115 victory over the Houston Rockets. This outstanding performance marked Embiid’s 17th consecutive game with at least 30 points, setting a new franchise record. Additionally, Embiid now holds the most 40-point double-doubles in the NBA this season, further establishing his dominance on the court. The towering center has already achieved an extraordinary 42 games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, placing him among the top ten players in NBA history to accomplish this feat.
Yet, despite these exceptional achievements, Embiid’s candidacy for another MVP award is clouded by his recurring absences due to injuries. He can miss only eight more games out of the remaining 44 in order to remain eligible for the prestigious accolade. This puts a considerable strain on the Philadelphia 76ers, who are heavily reliant on Embiid’s skills and leadership for a potential deep playoff run. Throughout his career, Embiid has been plagued by injuries that have hindered the team’s chances of advancing past the second round of the playoffs.
The current collective bargaining agreement requires players to participate in at least 65 regular-season games to be eligible for awards such as MVP or the All-NBA teams. Unfortunately, Embiid has only met this threshold on two occasions. In the 2021-22 season, he played a career-high 68 games, and he participated in 66 games last season, when he secured his first MVP award. Despite these accomplishments, Embiid acknowledges that he cannot force himself to play if his health is compromised. He emphasizes that his game will always speak for itself, and winning is the ultimate goal for him and the team. If he falls short of the games threshold due to unforeseen circumstances, he accepts that it is what it is.
Embiid’s recent absence from games highlights the importance of his health to the Philadelphia 76ers’ success. The team struggled without him, winning just one game out of three. With Embiid on the court, they boast an impressive record of 22-6, compared to a 3-7 record without him. When he is healthy, or at least close to it, Embiid’s impact on the game is undeniable, and the team becomes a formidable contender. His return on Monday demonstrated his ability to make the game look effortless, effortlessly scoring 13 points in the first and second quarters. He finished the game with a double-double, dominating the rebounding department as well.
Embiid’s immediate focus is on the next game, a highly-anticipated matchup against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Despite enduring heavy criticism in the past for sitting out games due to injuries, Embiid remains steadfast in his commitment to only play when he is healthy enough. He downplays any personal rivalry between him and Jokic, asserting that the primary focus should be on the team’s performance against the Nuggets, who he considers the best team in the league led by the best player.
As Embiid continues to navigate his career while managing injuries, uncertainty looms over his quest for another MVP trophy. A player of his caliber deserves to be in the conversations surrounding the most prestigious awards, but his health remains a significant obstacle. The Philadelphia 76ers and their fans eagerly await the day when Embiid can have a fully healthy postseason campaign, as this may very well be the missing piece that propels them to new heights. Until then, Embiid remains committed to giving his all when he steps onto the court, with his game speaking volumes on his behalf. And the journey towards MVP glory continues, paved with challenges, setbacks, and the hope of one day rewriting his postseason narrative.
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