MVP battle, Jokic cut 49 points and triple-doubled in response to Embiid

Jokic reproduces MVP-level performance. Figure/IC photo

Beijing News (reporter Xu Bangyin) On January 20, the Nuggets sat at home to meet the Clippers, the home team star Jokic played 41 minutes, 25 shots 16, including 3 of 5 three-pointers, 14 of 16 free throws, cut 49 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 block, 3 steals, through overtime fierce battle, led the team to 130-128 reverse victory.

The Nuggets have suffered constant blows this season, with the backcourt core Murray returning from a torn cruciate ligament in the knee, and another star, Michael Porter Jr., also being reimbursed for the season due to a back injury. The Nuggets, who lack major generals, can only rely on Jokic and role players such as Barton and Gordon to support themselves, barely maintaining themselves in the top eight in the West.

Against the Clippers without Paul George and Leonard, the home team still played very hard, falling behind in the half. Seeing that the team was about to lose, Jokic stepped forward, contributed 9 points and 3 assists in the last quarter, dragged the game into overtime, and scored 11 points and 5 rebounds in overtime, and sent key assists in the final moments, and Gordon completed a three-point shootout.

Jokic not only finished his 10th and 67th career triple-double of the season, but also scored his highest score of the season and the second highest score of his career, but also ranked 6th in the single-game scoring list this season, behind Trae Young, Durant, Curry, Jaylen Brown and Embiid. As the MVP of last season's regular season, Jokic is still in outstanding form this season.

Just a few hours ago, 76ers star Embiid, who scored 50 points in just 27 minutes, was emboldened, bluntly saying that if he played 10 more games last season, the regular season MVP would not be someone else (Jokic). Hours later, Jokic scored a super triple-double with 49 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to respond to his old rival.

Last season's regular season MVP selection results showed that Jokic got 91 of the 101 votes for the first vote, Embiid only got 1, and Jokic's total score of 971 points was much higher than Embiid's 586 points, which can be described as a complete victory. The battle between the two top centers in the league also continued into this season, Jokic averaged 25.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, and the Nuggets ranked 6th in the West; Embiid averaged 28 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, and the 76ers ranked 6th in the East.

Of course, unlike last season's MVP battle, Jokic and Embiid have strong competitors such as Antetokounmpo, Curry, DeRozan, James, And Paul this season, and there are too many uncertainties about who the MVP will spend. Instead, Nuggets coach Michael Malone was confident in his disciples: "If Jokic wasn't MVP, who would it be?" ”

Beijing News reporter Xu Bangyin

Edited by Wang Chunqiu Proofreader Li Lijun