After Winning MVP Joel Embiid set to return to court vs Boston
On Tuesday night Sixers center Joel Embiid was named the leagues MVP for the very first time, dethroning back-to-back winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver nuggets.
"He embodies everything that the honor stands for. His drive to improve is unmatched, and like the saying ‘a dream doesn’t become reality through magic, it takes hard work’, he’s put in the work. What’s most impressive is the why. He puts in the work because he wants to be a winner,” said 76ers Head Coach Doc Rivers.
Upon winning the award, Embiid turned to his team and told them, "I'm back."
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Embiid will in fact will return to the lineup tonight, barring a setback, when they face the Boston Celtics in Game 2.
Embiid sat out the teams Game 1 victory with a sprained right LCL, suffered in the series against the Brooklyn Nets. He also missed Game 4 of that series.
Embiid wins the award after a season where he led the NBA in scoring for the second consecutive season, averaging 33.1 points per game, add in 10.2 rebounds on a career-high 54.8% shooting from the floor and he becomes the fifth 76er ever to capture league MVP honors, joining Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson, and Moses Malone.
Embiid added 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game to further his candidacy.
“I’ve always believed that greatness emerges when talent meets relentless dedication. Joel’s season was legendary, and the MVP award is the latest milestone of his decorated career,” President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said. “His impact on both sides of the ball places him in rarified air among all-time greats such as Hakeem, Kareem and Wilt. It has been a privilege to watch Joel over the last three seasons and I know this won’t be his last accomplishment as we continue to strive toward our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.”
Embiid and the Sixers will be in Boston with a 1-0 series lead, and can be heard on 97.3 ESPN at 8 p.m.