SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball in the first quarter against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 24, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)Kavin Mistry/Getty Images

Draymond Green Says Joel Embiid Dropped 46 After Taking His Jokić Comments 'Personal'

Rob GoldbergMar 25, 2023

Draymond Green might want to stop giving his opponents bulletin-board material.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid scored 46 points in Friday's game against Green and the Golden State Warriors on an efficient 13-of-23 from the field. Following the game, Green said Embiid told him he was motivated after hearing Green praise rival Nikola Jokić as being harder to guard.

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It was enough for Green to walk back his previous comments.

"I want to tell y'all, Joel is the hardest guy in the league," the veteran joked after the game.

Jokić won the NBA MVP in each of the last two years, with Embiid finishing second both times. The two star centers are once again considered the top two contenders for the award in 2022-23.

Golden State earned the 120-112 win over Philadelphia on Friday, although Embiid continued to make his case as the league's best player while improving his league-leading scoring average to 33.4 points per game.

Opponents might want to avoid giving him extra motivation in the future.