Joel Embiid on Nikola Jokic: 'He's a monster, I love watching him' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid are two of the several frontrunners for the NBA MVP trophy this season. Last night, both centers met each other on the basketball court for the first time in years.

Joel Embiid

MIN:33.34PTS:29.85 (61.4%)REB:11.25As:4.35ST:1.04BL:1.47TO:2.98GM:55ProfileNBA2021/2022

Greatness ofter admires greatness. Joel Embiid is no exception.

"He's a monster, he's a great player and I love competition and I love playing against the best," Embiid said about Jokic in a post-game press conference. "And I'm always happy that it's another big man. What he's able to do, he's a monster. I love watching him."

"He's also easy to study," Embiid continued. "He plays against other guys, I know what stance this is, I know what he wanted to do, unfortunately, I was in foul trouble today."

Did Embiid feel something extra in the matchup that happens so rarely?

"No, not at all," the Philadelphia 76ers superstar answered. "It's a regular-season game, Denver against the Sixers. We had a good start, but the end of the first half was terrible for us. It wasn't about me or anybody else. We did everything possible to try and get the win."

While his team wasn't victorious, Joel Embiid finished the match with 34 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Jokic, on the other end, ended the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks.

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