Jokic delivers historic performance, leads Nuggets past 76ers

Nikola Jokic put up an impressive 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists to help the Nuggets defeat the shorthanded 76ers without star player Joel Embiid. 

In the process, Jokic joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as the only other players in NBA history to total 10+ games in a season of at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Jokic also posted his 29th triple-double of an outstanding season in win.

Joel Embiid sat out of the game with a calf injury, denying fans an opportunity to see the two MVP frontrunners go head-to-head.

After the game, Jokic praised Embiid as a dominant force on both ends of the court.

“The guy’s a beast,” Jokic said. “He can affect the game in so many ways on the floor.”

76ers coach, Doc Rivers had little time for the MVP race but focused on his decision to play without his star player.

“It was not a hard decision for us,” Rivers said.

Embiid complained of discomfort during the team's shootaround after playing and dominating on two consecutive nights.

“Everybody wants to see these two guys play against each other,” Rivers said.

"We’re just going to take it slow and be smart. We want to get him and the whole team healthy for the playoffs.” Nikola Jokic will be hoping to win a third MVP at the end of the regular season."

Nikola Jokic will be hoping to win a third MVP at the end of the regular season.