Nikola Jokic finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds, but was unable to rematch fellow MVP candidate Joel Embiid on Saturday as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-105, despite being shorthanded but tenacious.

The star center for Philadelphia missed a game at Denver for the fourth consecutive season due to a balky left knee, as determined by the team’s medical staff.

Denver received 23 points from Jamal Murray and 20 from Michael Porter Jr. Paul Reed scored a career-high 30 points to lead Philadelphia, while Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 25.

Embiid was removed by the Sixers minutes prior to tipoff due to discomfort he experienced in his troublesome left knee during warmups. Basketball enthusiasts were deprived of another marquee matchup featuring the last two NBA MVPs.