Doc Rivers reiterates MVP race is over in Joel Embiid's favor
Austin Krell: The MVP discussion brought up again, Rivers interjects, “The MVP is over. I said that already”, before going on to answer the question. Says Joel Embiid and Harden should be first-teamers because they play for the Sixers.
Source: Twitter @NBAKrell
Source: Twitter @NBAKrell
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Asked Doc Rivers after the game about Harden’s foot in the wake of his play against Milwaukee, Boston, and Miami:
“I think he’s fine. I’m not concerned by it. And, even if it did bother him a little bit, we have a whole week. So, he’ll be fine by the first game.” – 12:00 AM
Asked Doc Rivers after the game about Harden’s foot in the wake of his play against Milwaukee, Boston, and Miami:
“I think he’s fine. I’m not concerned by it. And, even if it did bother him a little bit, we have a whole week. So, he’ll be fine by the first game.” – 12:00 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sources: Joel Embiid won’t play against Atlanta Hawks on Friday inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 11:53 PM
Sources: Joel Embiid won’t play against Atlanta Hawks on Friday inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 11:53 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
New @LockedOnHeat
– Heat prepared for Joel Embiid, 76ers
– No. 6 seed still in play
– Will 76ers regret tonight’s performance?
open.spotify.com/episode/1W1u4B… – 11:33 PM
New @LockedOnHeat
– Heat prepared for Joel Embiid, 76ers
– No. 6 seed still in play
– Will 76ers regret tonight’s performance?
open.spotify.com/episode/1W1u4B… – 11:33 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
#Sixers center Joel Embiid will not play against the Atlanta Hawks Friday night at State Farm Arena, according to sources. The MVP frontrunner isn’t even traveling with the team tonight to Atlanta. – 10:52 PM
#Sixers center Joel Embiid will not play against the Atlanta Hawks Friday night at State Farm Arena, according to sources. The MVP frontrunner isn’t even traveling with the team tonight to Atlanta. – 10:52 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Doc Rivers just said, “The G League team is up seven. That’s very important. I’ll let you figure that one out.”
Sure seems like Jaden Springer and Mac McClung will get some NBA time this weekend. – 10:01 PM
Doc Rivers just said, “The G League team is up seven. That’s very important. I’ll let you figure that one out.”
Sure seems like Jaden Springer and Mac McClung will get some NBA time this weekend. – 10:01 PM
Mark Followill @MFollowill
After 21 points for Joel Embiid in a blowout loss to Miami, the scoring race tightened a bit.
Embiid- 33.07
Luka- 32.69
Unlikely to change barring some sort of David Robinson type of game to end the 94 season. Mark Aguirre is the only other Mav to finish 2nd in ppg, 83-84 (29.5). – 10:00 PM
After 21 points for Joel Embiid in a blowout loss to Miami, the scoring race tightened a bit.
Embiid- 33.07
Luka- 32.69
Unlikely to change barring some sort of David Robinson type of game to end the 94 season. Mark Aguirre is the only other Mav to finish 2nd in ppg, 83-84 (29.5). – 10:00 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Doc Rivers tipping his hand on the Sixers’ approach the next couple of games: “The G League team is up 7 right now, that’s really important” – 9:59 PM
Doc Rivers tipping his hand on the Sixers’ approach the next couple of games: “The G League team is up 7 right now, that’s really important” – 9:59 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Doc Rivers called the game tonight an “exercise”. Says he wanted guys to get a burn for a couple minutes and then get off the floor. – 9:55 PM
Doc Rivers called the game tonight an “exercise”. Says he wanted guys to get a burn for a couple minutes and then get off the floor. – 9:55 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
NEW: Heat cruise to a win over the 76ers by slowing down Joel Embiid and making 3s. Keep hope for the No. 6 seed alive. allucanheat.com/2023/04/06/mia… – 9:50 PM
NEW: Heat cruise to a win over the 76ers by slowing down Joel Embiid and making 3s. Keep hope for the No. 6 seed alive. allucanheat.com/2023/04/06/mia… – 9:50 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Joel Embiid had 21 tonight, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 9 thus far in the first half, here’s the NBA scoring race at 9:50pm.
TATUM 2,204
Embiid 2,183
Doncic 2,125
SGA 2,122 – 9:50 PM
Joel Embiid had 21 tonight, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 9 thus far in the first half, here’s the NBA scoring race at 9:50pm.
TATUM 2,204
Embiid 2,183
Doncic 2,125
SGA 2,122 – 9:50 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Sitting on 21 tonight, Embiid is now avg. 33.07 points per game.
By my math, if Joel didn’t play 1 more minute before the playoffs, Luka Doncic would need 59 points in 1 game or 92 pts in his final 2 games to steal the 2023 scoring title.
(Don’t show this to Luka). – 9:21 PM
Sitting on 21 tonight, Embiid is now avg. 33.07 points per game.
By my math, if Joel didn’t play 1 more minute before the playoffs, Luka Doncic would need 59 points in 1 game or 92 pts in his final 2 games to steal the 2023 scoring title.
(Don’t show this to Luka). – 9:21 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Furkan Korkmaz subbed in for James Harden two minutes into the fourth, looked like Doc Rivers had seen enough for the night.
Get that the Sixers might not have been up for this game. But in their last three games this week, the Harden-led bench units got absolutely destroyed. – 9:19 PM
Furkan Korkmaz subbed in for James Harden two minutes into the fourth, looked like Doc Rivers had seen enough for the night.
Get that the Sixers might not have been up for this game. But in their last three games this week, the Harden-led bench units got absolutely destroyed. – 9:19 PM
Derek Bodner @DerekBodnerNBA
Korkmaz is in for Harden. Would assume both he and Embiid are done for the night. – 9:18 PM
Korkmaz is in for Harden. Would assume both he and Embiid are done for the night. – 9:18 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
The slow zoom in on Doc Rivers after every Heat bucket feels so unnecessary LOL – 9:17 PM
The slow zoom in on Doc Rivers after every Heat bucket feels so unnecessary LOL – 9:17 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Heat go up 26 in third, take 96-78 lead into fourth on 76ers. Butler with 24 for Heat. Embiid 21 for 76ers. – 9:10 PM
Heat go up 26 in third, take 96-78 lead into fourth on 76ers. Butler with 24 for Heat. Embiid 21 for 76ers. – 9:10 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Twenty-one point halftime lead for the Heat.
– Four Heat players with at least two made 3s (Herro, Strus, Lowry, Love)
– Zone has slowed Embiid some (15 points, still) but has taken Harden out of his comfort zone (3 of 10 shooting, pair of turnovers) – 8:35 PM
Twenty-one point halftime lead for the Heat.
– Four Heat players with at least two made 3s (Herro, Strus, Lowry, Love)
– Zone has slowed Embiid some (15 points, still) but has taken Harden out of his comfort zone (3 of 10 shooting, pair of turnovers) – 8:35 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Halftime: Heat 67, Sixers 46. Sixers trailed by as many as 25 while Miami buried 11 three-pointers. Embiid with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Sixers committed 8 turnovers that were parlayed into 17 points. – 8:31 PM
Halftime: Heat 67, Sixers 46. Sixers trailed by as many as 25 while Miami buried 11 three-pointers. Embiid with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Sixers committed 8 turnovers that were parlayed into 17 points. – 8:31 PM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Joel Embiid attacking Jimmy Butler on switches — good
Anything else related to the Sixers so far — bad – 8:25 PM
Joel Embiid attacking Jimmy Butler on switches — good
Anything else related to the Sixers so far — bad – 8:25 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid has hit the floor three times already tonight. #BetterBeCarefulFlow – 8:20 PM
Embiid has hit the floor three times already tonight. #BetterBeCarefulFlow – 8:20 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
James Harden since the Toronto game: 11-30 from the field, just six free-throw attempts in 84 minutes.
For the second straight game, the non-Embiid unit looks bad. Getting smoked tonight by a Miami unit without Butler or Bam. – 8:13 PM
James Harden since the Toronto game: 11-30 from the field, just six free-throw attempts in 84 minutes.
For the second straight game, the non-Embiid unit looks bad. Getting smoked tonight by a Miami unit without Butler or Bam. – 8:13 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Embiid with 12 points and four rebounds in the first quarter. The Heat lead 41-31 after one. – 8:05 PM
Embiid with 12 points and four rebounds in the first quarter. The Heat lead 41-31 after one. – 8:05 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Heat 41, Sixers 31 at the end of the first after McDaniels’ 3 right before the buzzer. Heat made 15 of their 22 shots and have 15 bench points. Embiid with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting and 4 rebounds. – 8:03 PM
Heat 41, Sixers 31 at the end of the first after McDaniels’ 3 right before the buzzer. Heat made 15 of their 22 shots and have 15 bench points. Embiid with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting and 4 rebounds. – 8:03 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
EMBIID DIDN’T EVEN LOOK AT THE BASKET 😳
(via @sixers)
pic.twitter.com/9ix15TdYl4 – 7:59 PM
EMBIID DIDN’T EVEN LOOK AT THE BASKET 😳
(via @sixers)
pic.twitter.com/9ix15TdYl4 – 7:59 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Embiid’s already got 10 and 4, but Heat have started 11-of-18 from the floor to lead 27-23 late in the first. Miami is trying to stay out of the play-in tournament. – 7:52 PM
Embiid’s already got 10 and 4, but Heat have started 11-of-18 from the floor to lead 27-23 late in the first. Miami is trying to stay out of the play-in tournament. – 7:52 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Unlike the last game against the Pistons when Strus had to guard Jalen Duren, he can at least hide on PJ Tucker tonight against the 76ers.
Something to watch: How soon does Miami send help when Embiid gets it down low vs Bam? – 7:07 PM
Unlike the last game against the Pistons when Strus had to guard Jalen Duren, he can at least hide on PJ Tucker tonight against the 76ers.
Something to watch: How soon does Miami send help when Embiid gets it down low vs Bam? – 7:07 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Tyrese Maxey (neck stiffness) is out tonight.
Starters: Harden-Melton-Tucker-Harris-Embiid – 7:07 PM
Tyrese Maxey (neck stiffness) is out tonight.
Starters: Harden-Melton-Tucker-Harris-Embiid – 7:07 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Despite being locked into No. 3 in East, 76ers rolling out their regulars, with Joel Embiid, P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and James Harden starting. – 7:04 PM
Despite being locked into No. 3 in East, 76ers rolling out their regulars, with Joel Embiid, P.J. Tucker, Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and James Harden starting. – 7:04 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Tyrese Maxey is out for the Sixers tonight.
James Harden
De’Anthony Melton
Tobias Harris
PJ Tucker
Joel Embiid – 7:02 PM
Tyrese Maxey is out for the Sixers tonight.
James Harden
De’Anthony Melton
Tobias Harris
PJ Tucker
Joel Embiid – 7:02 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Doc Rivers wouldn’t tip his hand on if Maxey, Tucker or Melton will play other than saying he anticipates “most” will be available.
Also said the Sixers “don’t care” whether they face Brooklyn or Miami in the first round. Can lock Brooklyn in with a win tonight. – 6:00 PM
Doc Rivers wouldn’t tip his hand on if Maxey, Tucker or Melton will play other than saying he anticipates “most” will be available.
Also said the Sixers “don’t care” whether they face Brooklyn or Miami in the first round. Can lock Brooklyn in with a win tonight. – 6:00 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
The MVP discussion brought up again, Rivers interjects, “The MVP is over. I said that already”, before going on to answer the question.
Says Embiid and Harden should be first-teamers because they play for the Sixers. – 5:56 PM
The MVP discussion brought up again, Rivers interjects, “The MVP is over. I said that already”, before going on to answer the question.
Says Embiid and Harden should be first-teamers because they play for the Sixers. – 5:56 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers on Joel
Embiid in MVP race emphatically says, “It’s over. That one is over.” – 5:55 PM
Doc Rivers on Joel
Embiid in MVP race emphatically says, “It’s over. That one is over.” – 5:55 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Asked about tonight’s result potentially impacting 76ers’ first-round playoff opponent, Doc Rivers says: “We don’t care. We don’t talk about it. It’s not our business. That’s between Miami and Brooklyn, not us.” – 5:53 PM
Asked about tonight’s result potentially impacting 76ers’ first-round playoff opponent, Doc Rivers says: “We don’t care. We don’t talk about it. It’s not our business. That’s between Miami and Brooklyn, not us.” – 5:53 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers said no emphasis tonight on beating Heat to lock in Nets in first round. – 5:52 PM
Doc Rivers said no emphasis tonight on beating Heat to lock in Nets in first round. – 5:52 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
With Tyrese Maxey, PJ Tucker, and De’Anthony Melton questionable for tonight, Doc Rivers anticipates “most of them” will play. – 5:51 PM
With Tyrese Maxey, PJ Tucker, and De’Anthony Melton questionable for tonight, Doc Rivers anticipates “most of them” will play. – 5:51 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Doc Rivers says 76ers have a plan for final three games with No. 3 seed locked in. Looks like tonight against Heat will be with primary rotation. “Most of ‘em will play.” – 5:50 PM
Doc Rivers says 76ers have a plan for final three games with No. 3 seed locked in. Looks like tonight against Heat will be with primary rotation. “Most of ‘em will play.” – 5:50 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Embiid this season:
— 33.3 PPG | 10.2 RPG | 1.7 BPG
— Most PPG on 50+ FG% since MJ
— 1st in PPG this season
The most 50-point games in a season by a center since Kareem. pic.twitter.com/wksl6C23lY – 4:18 PM
Embiid this season:
— 33.3 PPG | 10.2 RPG | 1.7 BPG
— Most PPG on 50+ FG% since MJ
— 1st in PPG this season
The most 50-point games in a season by a center since Kareem. pic.twitter.com/wksl6C23lY – 4:18 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Despite already being locked into the East’s No. 3 playoff seed, it appears that the 76ers will play both Joel Embiid and James Harden vs. Heat tonight.
Only 76ers rotation players on 3:30 p.m. injury report are Maxey, Melton and Tucker, who are all questionable. – 3:38 PM
Despite already being locked into the East’s No. 3 playoff seed, it appears that the 76ers will play both Joel Embiid and James Harden vs. Heat tonight.
Only 76ers rotation players on 3:30 p.m. injury report are Maxey, Melton and Tucker, who are all questionable. – 3:38 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
Only good things and no bad things can happen if Joel Embiid and James Harden play tonight, right? 😳 – 2:06 PM
Only good things and no bad things can happen if Joel Embiid and James Harden play tonight, right? 😳 – 2:06 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
April 6 RPR MVP:
1. Joel Embiid: 16.44
2, Nikola Jokić: 15.93
3. Luka Dončić: 15.3
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 14.4
5. Jayson Tatum: 14.09
6. Damian Lillard: 13.86
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 13.8
8. Anthony Davis: 13.39
9. Domantas Sabonis: 12.56
10. LeBron James: 12.54 pic.twitter.com/sOj4juIspd – 9:47 AM
April 6 RPR MVP:
1. Joel Embiid: 16.44
2, Nikola Jokić: 15.93
3. Luka Dončić: 15.3
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 14.4
5. Jayson Tatum: 14.09
6. Damian Lillard: 13.86
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 13.8
8. Anthony Davis: 13.39
9. Domantas Sabonis: 12.56
10. LeBron James: 12.54 pic.twitter.com/sOj4juIspd – 9:47 AM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
This play had me thinking about how we don’t talk enough about how damn great Joel Embiid is. So I wrote about Embiid, the mid-range killer. theathletic.com/4384522/2023/0… pic.twitter.com/A0H1VLRNTB – 9:22 AM
This play had me thinking about how we don’t talk enough about how damn great Joel Embiid is. So I wrote about Embiid, the mid-range killer. theathletic.com/4384522/2023/0… pic.twitter.com/A0H1VLRNTB – 9:22 AM
Jon Johnson @jonjohnsonwip
Sooo many Phillies issues
Embiid wraps up MVP
Ballpark prices
Peeps
go.audacy.com/oIEa6tj6Lyb – 6:40 AM
Sooo many Phillies issues
Embiid wraps up MVP
Ballpark prices
Peeps
go.audacy.com/oIEa6tj6Lyb – 6:40 AM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
I’ve been driving the Joel Embiid MVP bus all year. Still am. But if the Bucks win 60 games mostly without Khris Middleton. It will be hard not to vote for Giannis. – 1:28 AM
I’ve been driving the Joel Embiid MVP bus all year. Still am. But if the Bucks win 60 games mostly without Khris Middleton. It will be hard not to vote for Giannis. – 1:28 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Doc Rivers says “the MVP race is over”.
Bucks GM Jon Horst tells @TermineRadio & @JumpShot8 he disagrees. 👇 pic.twitter.com/K22l0CFdrS – 7:13 PM
Doc Rivers says “the MVP race is over”.
Bucks GM Jon Horst tells @TermineRadio & @JumpShot8 he disagrees. 👇 pic.twitter.com/K22l0CFdrS – 7:13 PM
Steve Aschburner @AschNBA
Joel Embiid 52 Pt Game, Lakers Win Streak, and Paolo Banchero Stays at the Top of the Rookie Ladder omny.fm/shows/nba-puls… – 7:05 PM
Joel Embiid 52 Pt Game, Lakers Win Streak, and Paolo Banchero Stays at the Top of the Rookie Ladder omny.fm/shows/nba-puls… – 7:05 PM
The Vertical @Balldontlie
— Player A has been incredibly clutch.
— Player B fills the box score best among this trio.
— Player C is an offensive maestro.
@brohrbach takes a blind look at the NBA MVP debate between Embiid, Jokic and Giannis.
yhoo.it/3nNz5vV pic.twitter.com/dVEw83mZZ6 – 7:01 PM
— Player A has been incredibly clutch.
— Player B fills the box score best among this trio.
— Player C is an offensive maestro.
@brohrbach takes a blind look at the NBA MVP debate between Embiid, Jokic and Giannis.
yhoo.it/3nNz5vV pic.twitter.com/dVEw83mZZ6 – 7:01 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most points since the All-Star break:
673 — Embiid
583 — Mikal
579 — Booker
564 — LaVine pic.twitter.com/bZg6I8Bh15 – 6:45 PM
Most points since the All-Star break:
673 — Embiid
583 — Mikal
579 — Booker
564 — LaVine pic.twitter.com/bZg6I8Bh15 – 6:45 PM
Nick Wright @getnickwright
Giannis is the best player in the world and has been great all year, but last night cemented Joel Embiid as the league’s MVP. He has the moments, the stats and the history on his side. pic.twitter.com/Dj31oOBzDY – 6:24 PM
Giannis is the best player in the world and has been great all year, but last night cemented Joel Embiid as the league’s MVP. He has the moments, the stats and the history on his side. pic.twitter.com/Dj31oOBzDY – 6:24 PM
More on this storyline
NBA Central: Pascal Siakam says Joel Embiid is the MVP (Via @TheVolumeSports ) pic.twitter.com/kTyEsIBZzN -via Twitter @TheNBACentral / April 6, 2023
Justin Kubatko: Joel Embiid was 🔥 last night: 
52 PTS 13 REB 6 AST 20-25 FG He’s just the second player in NBA history to record at least 50p/10r/5a in a game while shooting 80% or better from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain (2x). -via Twitter @jkubatko / April 5, 2023
52 PTS 13 REB 6 AST 20-25 FG He’s just the second player in NBA history to record at least 50p/10r/5a in a game while shooting 80% or better from the field, joining Wilt Chamberlain (2x). -via Twitter @jkubatko / April 5, 2023
HoopsHype: Joel Embiid on people saying the MVP race is over: “They’re probably right, but we got bigger goals, right?” (Fails to contain laughter). -via Twitter @hoopshype / April 5, 2023