Joel Embiid, who returned from a three-game layoff with two 41-point triple-doubles—including a stunning 41-point, 10-assist performance on Tuesday in a 126-121 victory over the Denver Nuggets and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic—sets the tone this week.

In the aftermath, Embiid made it a point to tell the Serbian player, 28, that he is “the best player in the league.”

With 25 points and 19 rebounds, including a career-high 11 offensive rebounds, Jokic outperformed Philadelphia in that area by more than twice as much (five offensive rebounds). Embiid improved his career record versus Jokic to 6-2 after scoring over 40 points for the second straight game.

One piece of information to be aware of is this: Embiid has scored thirty points in eight consecutive games since November 17. The current streak is tied with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who achieved the feat in the early 1960s, for the sixth-longest run in NBA history.

What people are saying: “That guy is incredible. I don’t think anyone can stop him one-on-one. — Nuggets centre Jokic on Embiid, who finished the fourth quarter with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting after scoring 10 straight points.

The top 5 in the 2023–24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder are shown here.