Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) hugs and talks with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) after the game at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Embiid reveals what he whispered to Nikola Jokic after latest clash

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 1/17/24

Basketball fans were treated to a clash between the sport’s two prominent big men Tuesday night as Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets squared off against Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers.

Although the Sixers prevailed with a 126-121 victory at home, Embiid was in no mood for an over-the-top celebration – making it clear before the game that his focus this year was on making a deep postseason run and not on individual accolades or regular season wins.

Embiid’s newfound humble attitude was on full display after the game as he pulled Jokic aside and whispered some words to his Serbian counterpart. It turns out Embiid was giving his flowers to the reigning NBA Finals MVP.

“I just told him he’s the best player in the league,” Embiidtold TNT's Allie LaForce. “He won a championship, and that [Nuggets] is the best team in the league. He’s the Finals MVP, and I just told him, ‘Keep going, keep doing your thing – that’s why you’re the best in the league.’”

“I just told him he’s the best player in the league.”

Joel Embiid tells @ALaForce what he told Nikola Jokić after their hard-fought battle tonight! pic.twitter.com/mcDsfyUzCA
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 17, 2024

Embiid seeks what Jokic already has

For any athlete to concede that another player – especially a contemporary competing for the same awards and titles – should be a tough pill to swallow. However, Embiid’s outlook reflects both his respect for Jokic and his determination to end the Sixers’ longstanding NBA Finals drought.

As is well documented, Philly hasn’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001, when Allen Iverson led the squad to the NBA Finals.

While speaking to reporters after the game, Embiid doubled down on why Jokic remains on the mountaintop of the basketball world until somebody takes the throne.

"He deserves it until you knock him down," Embiid said, via The Athletic. "That’s the best in the league. He’s the finals MVP. So until someone else takes that away, he can claim that. Then again, I also believe in myself. I keep it at that; I just gotta get there."

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