76ers' Joel Embiid Says There's No Rivalry with Nikola Jokic: 'I Love the Big Fella'

Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, two of the best centers in the NBA, went head-to-head in a heavyweight battle on Saturday as the Philadelphia 76ers downed the Denver Nuggets 126-119.

Although Embiid outdueled Jokic in their latest meeting, he told ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth after the game that there's no rivalry between himself and Jokic.

Embiid was dominant in one of his best performances of the season on Saturday, finishing with 47 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks in 38 minutes. He made 18 of 31 shots from the floor and 4 of 7 shots from deep.

Jokic, meanwhile, finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and two blocks in 38 minutes. He made 8 of 12 shots from the floor and both of his three-point attempts.

Saturday's win was a statement game for Embiid, who is in a tight race with Jokic for the MVP award this season.

Jokic won the MVP award in both 2021 and 2022, beating out Embiid for the honor in both seasons. The Sixers big man finished second in MVP voting in each of the last two seasons.

There's no doubt the MVP voting between Embiid and Jokic will be close, though maybe this will finally be the year the Sixers big man gets the nod.

Entering Saturday's game, Embiid was averaging 33.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks in 35 games while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and 34.5 percent from deep.

Perhaps one of the most surprising notes regarding Embiid of late is his snub from the Eastern Conference's starting lineup for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum earned the starting nods.

When asked if he thinks he should be starting the All-Star Game, Embiid told Hubbarth that he believes he continues to be disrespected.

"I keep getting disrespected and it's cool," Embiid said (h/t Dave Early of Liberty Ballers). "I'm just gonna try and keep helping my teammates. … In the playoffs all I ask is no freak injuries and I think I'm due for a big run, and my team, too."

The Sixers sit second in the Eastern Conference with a 32-16 record, two games behind the first-place Boston Celtics. With Embiid continuing to compete at a high level, Philly is a serious threat for the top spot.