| Photo by Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
Los Angeles, USA — Joel Embiid put together a second straight 40-point performance to beat Nikola Jokic as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the NBA champion Denver Nuggets 126-121 on Tuesday.
A heavyweight showdown pitting reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Embiid against Denver’s two-time MVP Jokic did not disappoint as the two teams clashed from the start.
Embiid, who scored 41 points in his return from injury in the Sixers’ win over Houston on Monday, was in superb form once again, finishing with 41 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
The 29-year-old was imperious down the stretch, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Sixers turned a six-point deficit into victory.
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“I just let the game come to me, but the credit goes to my teammates: They put me in the best position to succeed and they trust me, that’s the key,” Embiid said after a game watched by 19,775 sold-out spectators. at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without the trust they put in me,” Embiid added.
Embiid embraced Jokic after the final buzzer, with the two men sharing a friendly exchange after a hard-fought match.
“I just told him he’s the best player in the league,” Embiid said.
“He won a championship, he’s the best team in the league and he’s the Finals MVP. I just told him to continue.
The match was well balanced at 111-111 with just over seven minutes remaining.
Embiid returned to the fray just after Jokic returned to the bench, and it was the Cameroon-born forward who ultimately took control of the contest.
A sublime reverse layup by Embiid put the Sixers ahead 115-113, before a jump shot increased Philadelphia’s lead to four points with 5:30 remaining.
A free throw and a 27-foot three-pointer left the Sixers ahead 121-113, and Embiid then added a jump shot to extend Philadelphia’s advantage to 10 points at 123-113 to effectively seal the victory.
Embiid received support from Tyrese Maxey with 25 points – including four three-pointers – while Tobias Harris chipped in with 24 points. Kelly Oubre Jr added 11 points.
Jokic led Denver’s scoring with 25 points, 19 rebounds and three assists.
Michael Porter Jr. finished with 20 points and Jamal Murray added 17.
Philadelphia improved to 26-13 to remain in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, behind first-place Boston (31-9) and second-place Milwaukee at 28-12.
Denver remains third in the Western Conference with 28-14, behind Minnesota (28-11) and Oklahoma City (27-12).
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