Joel Embiid named NBA MVP for 2022-23

Joel Embiid (Google Images)

Well apparently 76ers head coach Doc Rivers of Chicago, Illinois has a crystal ball in his possession. On April 4 when Joel Embiid scored 52 points for the 76ers in a 103-101 win over the Boston Celtics, he stated “the MVP race is over.” On Tuesday prior to the NBA playoff games being played, Embiid won the 2023 NBA MVP Award for the first time.

The native of Yaounde, Cameroon became the second African player to win the NBA MVP Award following Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Olajuwon received the honour in 1994. It should be noted that Steve Nash, who represented Canada internationally and won the NBA MVP award while with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006, was actually born in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In 2022-23, Embiid led the NBA in scoring with 33.1 points per game. He also had 10.2 rebounds per game, 4.2 assists per game, 1.7 blocks per game, and one steal per game. Embiid had a field goal percentage of .548, three-point percentage of .330, and a free throw percentage of .857.

The six-time All-Star is now in search of his first NBA Finals. The 76ers lead the Celtics one game to none in the Eastern Conference semifinals, even though Embiid is out with a knee injury.

On Tuesday in the NBA Playoffs, Jalen Brunson scored 30 points as the New York Knicks beat the Miami Heat 111-105 to tie their best out of seven Eastern Conference semifinal series at one game apiece. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis had 30 points and 23 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors 117-112 in game one of their Western Conference second round playoff series.

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