NBA MVP Race: Is the award down to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid?

Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)
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Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid (Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)

A final prediction

Most NBA teams have less than 10 games remaining in the regular season and considering that the NBA MVP award is a regular season award, the final couple of weeks of the season could prove to be career-changing for one of these players. At this point, the most surprising outcome would be Nikola Jokic winning the award. Between the team’s recent play and voter fatigue, I think it’s safe to say that he won’t win the award this season.

At this point, Embiid and Giannis seem to be a coin flip for the NBA MVP award. They are both worthy of winning the award but, at least in my opinion, there is one clear MVP this season. And that’s Joel Embiid.

What Embiid is doing this season is unprecedented from the position. He’s leading the NBA in scoring with nearly 34 points per game and is doing so while also being one of the best defensive centers in the league. He has made the Sixers a legit contender in the East (though they’ll have to prove that in the playoffs) and has become the quiet leader that many thought he could be.

While there are still questions revolving around whether the Sixers can win a championship this season, there’s no question that Embiid has been worthy of winning the NBA MVP award.