Joel Embiid Sits Out, Fans Blame ‘Load Management’

One of the most eagerly awaited games of the NBA season will take place on Monday night when the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets square battle. Sadly, after learning earlier in the day that Joel Embiid won’t be participating because of a persistent calf problem, the anticipation for it significantly decreased.

It put an end to the much anticipated MVP fight between the front-runners, which many believed may have determined whether Embiid, who finished second the previous two years, would deny Jokic a third straight victory.

Joel Embiid Sits Out, Fans Blame ‘Load Management’

Rivers said he didn’t know if Embiid’s injury would linger, but he noted that calf injuries are notoriously slow to heal and can lead to more serious leg injuries.

“Everybody wants to see these two guys play against each other,” Rivers said, but “we’re just going to take it slow and be smart. We want to get him and the whole team healthy for the playoffs.”

One Nuggets fan trolled the blatant load management from Embiid with a Missing Person poster showcasing the Sixer. The sign read, “Description: No MVPs; NO First team All-Stars; Tall. Last seen in Denver in 2019.”

ESPN analyist Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA center who sparked an MVP debate earlier this month by calling Jokic a stat padder, said Embiid owed it to Jokic and basketball fans alike to play in the rematch Monday night.

“Joel Embiid is ducking that smoke today and you all know how I feel about Joel Embiid,” Perkins said. “… We know how much it means to him to win this award. And here it is. You gave Jokic a spanking when they were down there in Philly. You have to give him an opportunity to get his lick back.

“You cannot sit out this game,” Perkins added. “I have a vote (for the MVP award) and I’m going to remember this moment.”

Although it’s obvious that Embiid and the Sixers are concentrating on getting him playoff-ready, it will be devastating if he doesn’t play Monday night. With eight games left in the regular season, the Sixers (49-25) hold third place in the Eastern Conference.

For the second straight year, Embiid is leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 33.3 points per game while shooting a career-high 54.5 percent from the pitch. He has contributed 40.2% of the Sixers’ points this month, the greatest percentage of any player while the team has played the most difficult schedule in the league.

The best chance for Embiid to establish himself was in a head-to-head contest. His lack of availability continues to be the strongest defence against his MVP candidature, therefore his choice to refrain from doing so was extremely negative.

 

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