Joel Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP, is facing a new hurdle in his quest to repeat: a minimum games played requirement.
With his injury history and the league’s new CBA rules, Embiid could be disqualified from individual awards if he misses too many games.
The alarm bells started ringing after Embiid sat out seven games, four consecutively. While he leads the “Race for the MVP” with impressive stats, the clock is ticking. He can only afford 11 more absences to reach the 65-game minimum.
According to the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, players who play in fewer games are out, whatever whatever the team’s campaign.
Bradley Beal has already missed 24 games. Therefore, the player who makes his debut year with the Phoenix Suns has no minimum qualification.
Beal could finish the 2023/24 season as a scorer, but he still wouldn’t be able to participate in ideal teams or individual awards.
It turns out that since his debut in the NBA, Embiid has always missed a considerable number of games. Last season he played 66 games, which would be one more than necessary.
But, after missing seven matches in 2023/24, he cannot have any more serious injuries.
And the big detail is that Embiid leads the Race for the MVP, according to the official NBA website. He surpassed Nikola Jokic, his main competitor, in the December 8 edition.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers are third in the Eastern Conference . Without him, the Sixers won just two of seven games, which further shows his importance to the team.
It’s no surprise that Embiid is the main candidate for MVP once again. He averages 35.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists (career best), as well as 2.0 blocks.
With him, the Sixers have a campaign of 20 wins and just five losses. In other words, 80% success rate, something similar to what the Boston Celtics, best of the season (81.6%), have.
But there are other concerns for Joel Embiid. The Oklahoma City Thunder have won eight of their last ten games, including a crucial one against the Denver Nuggets, which puts them in second place in the West.
So, if the narrative in favor of the Thunder becomes strong enough, Shai Giligeous-Alexander could start earning “points” for the award.
At the moment, the point guard is fourth, behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo (third), Jokic (second) and Embiid.
With an ankle injury, there is no concrete deadline for his return to the court. While the Sixers haven’t announced when he might return, the team will face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
