76ers' Joel Embiid's MVP Case Hyped by Twitter After 'Ass-Kicking' vs. Nikola Jokić

Joel Embiid has finished as the MVP runner-up in two straight seasons behind Nikola Jokić. On Saturday in a head-to-head matchup between the superstar centers, Embiid may have provided the sort of statement game needed to end that trend.

Embiid was the best player on the court by a wide margin, putting up 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in the Philadelphia 76ers' 126-119 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Jokić was hardly shabby himself, nearly posting a triple-double with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

But Embiid clearly had his number, and NBA Twitter took notice in a big way:

It would be hard to blame Embiid for having at least a bit of a chip on his shoulder in this game. Outside of Jokić topping him in the MVP race twice in a row, Embiid also wasn't named an All-Star starter this week. Given that he's arguably the best center in the NBA—and unquestionably the best center in the Eastern Conference—that had Philly fans feeling a certain way.

Whether Embiid took this game more seriously or not, the Sixers (32-16) are now winners of seven straight, and the big man is cooking. Philadelphia has moved to second in the East, just two games behind the Boston Celtics, and has won 12 of its past 14.

The Nuggets won't take a road loss against a tough Sixers team too hard. At 34-16, they remain the top team in the Western Conference standings.

But in terms of the narrative, there's no doubt that the MVP meter moved closer to Embiid on Saturday. There's a lot of season left, but the two best big men in basketball appear headed for another close vote in the MVP race.