Joel Embiid is averaging a career-best 6.6 assists per game this season.
Setting the stage this week is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid coming off his first triple-double of the season Monday in a 138-94 thumping of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The metamorphosis we’re witnessing in his game only whets the world’s appetite for more Friday in Boston (7:30 ET, ESPN), should Embiid participate. The 29-year-old is listed as questionable (illness).
What’s not in doubt, however, is Embiid’s impact.
Averaging a career-high 6.6 assists for the 12-6 Sixers, Embiid finished an assist shy of a triple-double Saturday at Oklahoma City before notching career triple-double No. 6 two nights later against the Lakers.
He’s averaged 32.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists over his last three games.
A stat to know: 35-10 – Embiid has logged 35-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in five contests this season. That’s tops in the NBA among all players.
What they’re saying: “He draws a lot of attention because he’s such a good scorer, and usually, you’ve got to take your choice of: [are] you gonna stop him or come off people?” — 76ers coach Nick Nurse
And now, the Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 29 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 9.2 apg
His case: Jokic had 15 of Denver’s 37 assists in Wednesday’s 134-124 win over Houston. The Nuggets’ 37 assists with just three turnovers ranked as the second-most in NBA history by a team committing three or fewer giveaways.
Jokic also earned his seventh triple-double this season in Denver’s third consecutive victory. Of the 28-year-old’s 112 career triple-doubles, 94 have come in games where Jokic shot 50% or better from the field.
2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 32 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.6 apg
His case: The nightly stat lines are starting to look similar to the ones cranked out by the two-time MVP sitting one spot higher on this list. That’s a credit to Embiid’s willingness to expand his game as a facilitator while trusting the Sixers’ revamped supporting cast.
The six-time All-Star is questionable for Friday’s matchup with Boston. But it’s important to note that after this upcoming clash, the teams won’t meet again until February.
T-3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 31.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 7.9 apg
His case: Let’s squash the chatter about whether the 24-year-old can co-exist with veteran Kyrie Irving. The duo is thriving, notching three games this season in which each recorded at least 25 points with five assists.
In cooking up a 41-piece in Tuesday’s win over Houston, Doncic became the second player in NBA history to tally multiple games with at least 40 points, nine assists with no turnovers.
T-3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 30.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: Oklahoma City trailed the Lakers by 14 points yet won by 23 Thursday as Gilgeous-Alexander racked up his league-high 12th game with 30 points or more.
OKC heads to Texas for a two-game road trip at Dallas and Houston. The 25-year-old is averaging 32.4 points on 56.3% FGs, 37.5% from deep and 96.4% from the free-throw line over his last 10 games. That’s consistency.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 9
Season stats: 29.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 4.7 apg
His case: Welcome back. Antetokounmpo started the week passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most games with 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds and five-plus assists in a win Sunday vs. Portland.
Two nights later, Antetokounmpo (33 points) and Damian Lillard (32 points) became the first teammates since 2010 to each score 30-plus points in three straight games. The team’s up-and-down play seems to be evening out, but Thursday’s stunning loss at Chicago is notable.
The Next Five:
6. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Last week: No. 7)
7. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Last week: No. 5)
8. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (Last week: No. 8)
9. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: No. 6)
10. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (Last week: No. 10)
And five more (listed alphabetically): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks; Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers.
* * *
Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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