USA Today via Reuters
Jan 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Embiid is having a historic season. He is currently on pace to win his second MVP award in a row. However, having recently missed two straight games, things could get dicey for the Cameroonian big man as the new CBA rules might not favor the Philadelphia 76ers center. With just 37 games left in the regular season, Phoenix Suns legend Eddie Johnson is warned about Embiid’s chances of winning the MVP award.
NBA insider Justin Termine went on to warn Eddie Johnson about Joel Embiid’s troubling circumstances, as Embiid has currently missed 12 games this season.
“You want to win an MVP and want to win multiple MVPs; that’s what separates you from a guy that’s got one… But now he’s missed 12 games on the year already. But if he misses six more, then he is going to be ineligible for the MVP,” said Justin recently on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
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“If we’re talking MVP…this has nothing to do with the post-season”
Forget about sitting against Denver…@TermineRadio tells @JumpShot8 Joel Embiid has bigger problems if he wants to win back to back MVPs pic.twitter.com/5CIwCgQIYE— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 30, 2024
The new CBA rule states that a player should play at least 65 games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA, and other great honors in the NBA. Embiid, having already missed 12 games, can afford to miss just 5 more games before falling out of contention. “That means he got to play 32 of the 76ers final 37 in order to qualify,” added Justin.
After his recent performances, Joel Embiid has strongly pulled himself ahead in the MVP race. Embiid going for 70 points against Victor Wembanyama, who is one of the best defenders in the league, has shown the greatness of the big man. Further, the 76ers are currently the 3rd seed in the East, which aids in Embiid’s MVP case.
Can Joel Embiid still win the MVP award?
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Throughout the first 45 games of the season, Joel Embiid has missed 12 games. With 37 games left, Embiid would have to play over 20 minutes in 32 of them to be eligible for the MVP award.
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With how Embiid has played so far this season, it would be a stretch to imagine that he can make that cut. The 76ers medical team ruled out Embiid for back-to-back games because of the swelling in his knee that he has received every now and then this season. There are 37 games left in the season, and it would be a big ask from Embiid to play in all of them. But only time will tell if Embiid is healthy enough to get through this stretch.
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Do you think Joel Embiid will become ineligible for MVP contention? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
