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Setting the stage this week is Joel Embiid, who returned from a three-game absence with a pair of 41-point triple-doubles, including Tuesday’s 41-point, 10-assist gem in a 126-121 win over two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Embiid made it a point to tell the 28-year-old Serbian that he is “the most productive player in the league. “
Jokic had a career-high 25 points and 19 rebounds, adding 11 offensive rebounds, more than double Philadelphia’s production in that category (five offensive rebounds). Embiid scored more than 40 points for the time being directly opposite Jokic, the highest of his career. in that game to 6-2.
A familiar statistic: 18 – That’s Embiid’s existing 30-point streak dating back to Nov. 17. The existing streak is the sixth-longest in NBA history, tied with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who completed the feat in the early 1960s.
What they say: “This guy is awesome. I don’t think anyone can stop it one by one. Nuggets center Jokic on Embiid, who scored 10 points straight into the fourth quarter and finished the fourth quarter with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
And now, the top five of the 2023-24 Kia are racing toward the MVP ladder.
1. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 35.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: Combined with Tyrese Maxey (25 points) and Tobias Harris (24) for 90 points on Tuesday, marking his second-straight outing with 40 points or more since returning from a knee injury. Embiid has racked up 40-plus points in two consecutive matchups against Jokic and, this season, the Sixers are 23-6 with Embiid … and 3-7 without him.
2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last Week’s Ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 25.5 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 9.1 apg
Case in point: Teams are looking to remove Jokic’s influence as a facilitator. The two-time MVP tied his season high with three assists on Tuesday, and it’s no coincidence that Denver has lost nine straight as the warring sides limit Jokic to fewer than five assists.
The Nuggets head into Game 2 of a five-game road trip Friday in Boston with matchups in Washington, Indiana and New York.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 31 issues per game, 5. 7 RPG, 6. 3 apg
Case in point: Oklahoma City scored 50 or more for the 12th time in its last 14 games on Thursday, while Gilgeous-Alexander produced his NBA-leading 29th game this season with more than 30 points. The 134-129 win over the Jazz marked Game 13. The Thunder have finished with 30 or more assists.
It’s a new franchise record since the club moved to Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 21-8 this season as Gilgeous-Alexander is aiming for 30 numbers or more.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last Week’s Ranking: #5
Season stats: 31. 2 points per game, 11. 4 RPG, 5. 9 APG
His case: There’s an explanation for why Antetokounmpo leads the voting in the East as bureaucracy for February’s NBA All-Star Game after the third and final set of fan voting effects released Thursday. Antetokounmpo did not play in Wednesday’s 135-95 loss at Cleveland because of a right shoulder contusion.
Milwaukee is 1-1 with Antetokounmpo and remains on track to finish the season as the first player to average more than 30 shots on 60% shooting.
5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s standings: nº4
Season stats: 33.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 9.2 apg
Case in point: Doncic returned from a three-game layoff and dropped 33 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists, scoring 14 of his 33 points in the second quarter. The performance marked Doncic’s seventh triple-double this season and 63rd of his career.
Did we mention that Doncic is only 24 years old? He was scheduled to face Stephen Curry on Friday in Golden State, but the game was postponed following the death of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic.
The Next Five:
And others (listed in alphabetical order): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior at NBA. com. You can email him here, locate his files here and follow up with him on X.
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