Big injury jolt to MVP race
DENVER — The NBA MVP race just became a little more wide open now that Joel Embiid’s chances at a repeat have ended.
The 76ers big man was the odds-on favorite at the midway mark of the season, before the announcement that he would need surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee.
Embiid had surgery Tuesday. The Sixers did not release any kind of timetable on his return. There’s still a chance he could return for the postseason — there’s just no chance he can extend his MVP reign given the league’s new rules on minimum games necessary to be eligible for awards.
Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo slide into the MVP driver’s seat.
Jokic now has the inside track to earn a third MVP in four seasons for the defending champion Nuggets. Close behind is Gilgeous-Alexander, the rising standout for the Thunder, and never count out the “Greek Freak.”
Really, though, this could be the year of the dark horse as someone not named Embiid, Jokic or Antetokounmpo attempts to claim the NBA MVP trophy for the first time since 2017-18.
The odds favor Jokic, improving to minus-150 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Gilgeous-Alexander is at plus-230 and Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP winner, checks in at plus-650.
There are a few long shots to keep an eye on, including Jalen Brunson. His MVP stock continues to rise as the Knicks remain near the top of the Eastern Conference despite missing Julius Randle. Don’t forget about Kawhi Leonard, either, a catalyst for the resurgent Clippers. Or Mavericks standout guard Luka Doncic, who erupted for 73 points on Jan. 26 — the top mark this season (Embiid had 70 four days prior). Or Celtics do-everything forward Jayson Tatum. Or even Anthony Edwards, who’s at plus50,000 to win an MVP as he’s guided the Timberwolves to a tie (through Monday) for the top spot in the Western Conference with the Thunder.
The misfortune of Embiid has opened the door not only for the MVP race, but criticism about the game-minimum standards that went into effect this season to discourage resting healthy players.
The new collective bargaining agreement requires players, in most instances, to play in 65 regular-season games to be eligible for awards such as MVP.
As for the top contenders now, Jokic is averaging 26.3 points per game, 12.2 rebounds and nine assists. Those are stats right in line with what he posted in his MVP seasons of 2020-21 and ’21-22.
There’s some great basketball being played by Gilgeous-Alexander, too. The sixth-year player just keeps improving and leads the league in overall points, steals and free throws.
Antetokounmpo stays in the MVP conversation season after season after season. He’s been flourishing in a new system and averaging 34.3 points in four games since Doc Rivers took over as coach.
One thing’s clear: It’s shaping up to be an entertaining finish in this tight MVP race.