Joel Embiid Reaches Top of the Ladder With 14 Games Left

76ers center Joel Embiid is at the front of the MVP race, according to NBA.com.

The Philadelphia 76ers have just 14 games left to play in the 2022-2023 NBA regular season. At this point in the year, Joel Embiid is at the top of the MVP ladder created by NBA.com.

Last week, Embiid was labeled in second place behind Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. This week, the Sixers star’s performance couldn’t be denied.

Ranging from last Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers beyond Wednesday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Embiid has averaged 36 points, 11 rebounds, one steal, and four blocks while shooting 62 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line.

As Philadelphia looks to potentially improve their seeding in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Embiid has been playing on another level. 

And as the MVP race has the finish line in sight, the big man is receiving proper credit for his overall seasonal performance.

“Seven straight 30-point performances push the NBA’s top scorer to No. 1 in this week’s MVP Ladder. Embiid churned out another gem on Wednesday against Cleveland’s No. 2-rated defense with 36 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks, marking the third-straight outing the big man has racked up at least 30 points with three blocks. The 29-year-old became the first player since Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to accomplish that feat, and he took advantage of every opportunity in knocking down all 10 of his free-throw attempts.” - Michael C. Wright, NBA.com

For a third-straight season, Embiid is bound to become an MVP finalist. Over the last two years, he was the runner-up for the award behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

Once again, Jokic is flashing star power this year, but his last few outings have hurt his status as a potential three-peat candidate. 

In 55 games this year, Embiid has averaged an NBA-leading 34 points per game. He’s scoring at a high rate while shooting efficiently, draining 54 percent of his shots from the field. Along with his offensive dominance, Embiid has looked like one of the best defenders in the game with his intimidating paint presence, blocking two shots per game and coming down with ten rebounds per outing.

Beyond Embiid and Jokic on the MVP ladder are Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, and Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Luka Doncic. 

While the candidates beyond the top three will have a hard time cracking a spot as a finalist, another player worthy of noting is Sixers guard James Harden.

Beyond the top five and Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, and Shai Gigleous-Alexander is Harden, who keeps his number nine spot on the ladder.

Although Harden’s days of finishing as an MVP finalist might be behind him, there hasn’t been too much of a falloff as the ten-time All-Star’s playmaking has been fantastic for the Sixers this season. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.