Will Joel Embiid face off against Nikola Jokic tonight? Big update on the MVP frontrunner's status

The NBA MVP race has been close between Joel Embiid and Nikol Jokic, with both All-Star centers playing high-level basketball the past two months.

However, fans won't be able to watch a much-anticipated head-to-head meeting Monday night, when the Philadelphia 76ers (49-25) play the Denver Nuggets (50-24). ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported that Embiid will not play because of a calf injury.

Adrian Wojnarowski

@wojespn

ESPN Reporting with @Ramonashelburne: The showdown of MVP frontrunners is off tonight: Sixers are ruling out Joel Embiid (calf) vs. Nikola Jokic and Nuggets. Embiid attempted to work out this morning, but team is taking a precautionary approach given density of recent schedule.

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ESPN Reporting with @Ramonashelburne: The showdown of MVP frontrunners is off tonight: Sixers are ruling out Joel Embiid (calf) vs. Nikola Jokic and Nuggets. Embiid attempted to work out this morning, but team is taking a precautionary approach given density of recent schedule.

"What a bummer," Kevin O'Connor from The Ringer responded.

Kevin O'Connor

@KevinOConnorNBA

@wojespn @ramonashelburne What a bummer. Weeks of hype for nothing

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@wojespn @ramonashelburne What a bummer. Weeks of hype for nothing

Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are head-to-head in the MVP race, and the match-up could possibly have been a deciding factor in who wins the award.

Health seems to be the priority for the 76ers (49-25) as the regular season is down to its final stretch of games . They are also monitoring James Harden's injury, in addition to Joel Embiid's situation heading into the playoffs.

Joel Embiid became the MVP frontrunner to many as he was crucial in leading the Philadelphia 76ers to an eight-game winning streak. The team has also won seven of its last 10 games.

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