- Jokic and Embiid are the most recent two winners of the NBA MVP award
- Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris also had strong games for the 76ers in the win
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
After outshining Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in a battle of MVP candidates Tuesday night, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid had some hefty praise for his counterpart.
Following the 76ers’ 126-121 win over Dallas, Embiid revealed to reporters that he told Jokic that the Nuggets’ big man was ‘the best player in the league’, as he pulled him in for a hug.
‘It’s funny, because Twitter, we have a war going on between Philly fans and Denver fans,’ Embiid added.
‘It’s funny because both of us are just like, who cares? We want to play basketball and win some games. But he deserves (the praise).
‘Until you knock him down, that’s the best in the league. He’s the finals MVP. Until you take that away, he can claim that. But then again, I also believe in myself.’
Joel Embiid had some high praise for Nikola Jokic after winning their matchup vs each other
![Embiid finished the night with 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds during the win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/17/05/80115939-12972453-Embiid_finished_the_night_with_41_points_10_assists_and_seven_re-a-1_1705470759834.jpg)
Embiid finished the night with 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds during the win
![Jokic finished the night with 25 points and 19 rebounds, with 11 of his rebounds on offense](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/17/05/80115881-12972453-Jokic_finished_the_night_with_25_points_and_19_rebounds_with_11_-a-2_1705470759840.jpg)
Jokic finished the night with 25 points and 19 rebounds, with 11 of his rebounds on offense
Embiid finished the night with 41 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds as he lead Philadelphia to victory, meanwhile Jokic finished the night with 25 points and 19 rebounds. 11 of Jokic’s rebounds game on the offensive end of the floor.
Although Embiid won Tuesday night’s battle and won last seasons MVP award, Jokic does have the NBA Finals MVP and a championship ring from last season.
Embiid is doing his best to chase him down and earn a championship ring of his own.
Embiid got the better of Jokic late, buoyed by a three-point play that stretched the Sixers’ lead. Embiid was fouled on a bucket and crotch-chopped in celebration toward the fans.
He made the free throw for a 118-113 lead. Embiid followed with a 3-pointer for an eight-point lead and showed the Sixers are as good as any team when he´s healthy – even against the NBA champs.
Embiid gave the Sixers a scare when he fouled Michael Porter Jr. on a 3-point attempt with 26.6 seconds left. Porter hit the three free throws that pulled the Nuggets within four. Time simply ran out on a comeback.
‘I’m not playing against him, I’m playing against Philadelphia,’ Jokic said. ‘It was a good matchup.’
Jokic won two straight NBA MVP awards and was beat out last season by Embiid for the honor. Embiid, a two-time defending scoring champ, again leads the league in scoring. Jokic averaged 25.5 points and had Denver rolling with one of the best records in the NBA.
![76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/17/05/80115973-12972453-76ers_point_guard_Tyrese_Maxey-a-3_1705470759841.jpg)
![76ers forward Tobias Harris](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/17/05/80115985-12972453-76ers_forward_Tobias_Harris-a-4_1705470759843.jpg)
Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris also had strong games for the 76ers in the win over Denver
Embiid had his 18th straight 30-point game, tying Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for the sixth-longest streak in NBA history.
Embiid scored 23 points and the 76ers shot 67 percent from the floor. Jokic had 15 and Denver shot 58 percent in the half. The teams combined for 17 3s and both shot over 53% in a half with a frantic, videogame feel.
‘This is my first time with this team against these guys,’ 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said. ‘Where are we compared to these guys? What´s it look like up close? I hope we can get something out of that.’
Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and Tobias Harris had 24 for the Sixers.
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