Sixers' Joel Embiid wins his first ever NBA MVP award
The NBA has announced Joel Embiid as the MVP for the 2022-23 season, making him the first player for the Philadelphia 76ers to win the award since Allen Iverson. Embiid had a historic season, posting 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field and 33% from three.
Ernie Johnson announced the winner for the Most Valuable Player award on Inside the NBA on TNT. Embiid led the league in scoring and helped his team finish third in the Eastern Conference with a 54-28 record. It was a statement from the Cameroonian big after falling short of the award last season to Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid has won the 2022-23 NBA MVP award. https://t.co/c4Pq4Ggy4a
The Sixers are taking on the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. However, Embiid is yet to play a game in their series against the Celtics due to the knee sprain he sustained in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets. The six-time All-Star is expected to return to the lineup in Game 2 as Philly took a 1-0 lead over Boston after winning in Game 1.
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Examining Joel Embiid's legendary MVP season
Joel Embiid has finally won the MVP award and has shown that he's one of the top talents in the NBA right now. Throughout the 2022-23 season, Embiid was trying to prove to everyone that he is the MVP of the league and deserves to get his flowers.
Embiid has single-handedly carried the Sixers' offense throughout the season and didn't hold back in doing so. Without him, it's safe to assume that Philly wouldn't be where they are right now. The six-time All-Star led the team to finish in third place in the Eastern Conference, giving them homecourt advantage in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets.
He has also elevated the team's play this season with his influence on the court. With his help, James Harden led the league in assists and they became the first duo in the NBA to lead the league in points and assists.
Obviously, he values his team in their journey to winning the MVP award. As the winner was announced, Embiid was surrounded by his teammates as they anticipated the news of him getting the MVP. For his team, it was a well-deserved award for their All-Star center.
The moment Embiid found out he won #KiaMVP 💯
(via @sixers) https://t.co/ygd4SfH473
With their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, Embiid is listed as doubtful for Game 2. He wasn't able to play in Game 1 due to a knee sprain, but luckily his team was able to get the win on the road. The Sixers center could make a return to the lineup before tip-off for Game 2.
Also read: "PLAYOFF MF HIMMY BUTLER" - Joel Embiid, Draymond Green and other NBA stars in awe of Jimmy Butler's 56-point night in Game 4