PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid made a triumphant return to the floor on Monday afternoon. He scored 41 points on 12-for-21 shooting with 10 rebounds in a 124-115 win over the Houston Rockets. The big fella had missed three games due to a left knee issue.
On the season, Embiid has missed 10 games due to various injuries. He has missed time due to the flu, an ankle injury and, most recently, a knee injury. The player participation policy states a player must play in at least 65 games to qualify for awards at the end of the season, so he can’t miss more than seven of the remaining 44 games.
There are also some people who troll Embiid for missing games against good teams. The reigning league MVP had a message for them.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Embiid said after the win. “That’s funny because every single team that I play against, I think I dominated and we win and I put up numbers necessary to win. I think that’s why you can’t read too much into it, because one of the main things that I see is that as soon as you use the name, ‘Joel Embiid’, that’s gonna get you a lot of likes, and that’s gonna get you a lot of money. So as long as my name has a chance to help somebody make some money, then I’m for it. Keep trolling. I like it. I love it.”
Obviously, Embiid would like to win another MVP award, but the leader of the Sixers is more focused on being ready for when the games matter in April, May and June rather than those played in January and February.
“I’ve already done it,” Embiid said of the possibility of winning the award again. “I’ve always said I want it all. If I have a chance to get a second one, I’ll do it, but I’m not going to force myself or push for it. My game is always gonna speak for itself. We’re winning. That’s the main thing. To keep winning.”
Embiid isn’t wrong. He has put up monstrous numbers in the 2023-24 season that are even better than his MVP season a year ago.
“Obviously, you’re putting the stats to be in the conversation is great, too,” Embiid continued. “So, yeah, that’s great, but at the end of the day, if there’s something going on and I can’t meet the requirement for the amount of games played to qualify for that, then so be it.”
The Sixers need Embiid ready for the playoffs. While they would like to see him get to games played needed to qualify for the MVP award, the more important thing is the playoffs.
“One thing we’re not gonna do is push for it,” he finished. “To try to make that requirement. If I’m healthy enough and these guys are letting me play, then I’ll play. If they’re telling me I gotta chill, then I’ll chill.”
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