Sixers news: Joel Embiid halftime message vs. Pels proves why he's MVP

Joel Embiid has proven he's the Sixers MVP not just with his on-court, but also his leadership within the locker room.

As the buzzer sounded for halftime against the extremely short-handed New Orleans Pelicans. the Philadelphia 76ers found themselves down 58-50.

Not only was New Orleans already missing franchise star Zion Williamson, but they also came into the Wells Fargo Center without a healthy Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Devonte' Graham.

Joel Embiid didn't exactly play poorly in that first half. He led the Sixers with 18 points and seven rebounds. However, the Pels center opposite him in Willy Hernangomez had probably the best half of his NBA career with 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

Sixers coach Doc Rivers spoke out on Joel Embiid's mindset heading into the halftime break. He didn't rest on his laurels knowing that he had 18 points but harped on his shortcomings on the other side of the floor.

Via SixersWire:

“He’s a great player,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I think that’s the best way to describe it. A great player playing really well, really focused, being a great leader for our guys. At halftime, he was the first guy who raised his hand and said ‘It’s on me, it’s on me. I gotta play better defense to get us better’, he’s just been very good. It’s great for me.”

Embiid finished the game with 42 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Most notably, he also finished with four blocks after having zero in the first half.

Hernangomez meanwhile did score eight more points but was limited to just four shot attempts the rest of the way, likely the result of a motivated defensive effort from the Sixers center.

“Just his dominance is huge for us,” said Tobias Harris on Embiid. “As a whole, as a group, what he brings to this team tonight and you even seen tonight, he’s fighting every game and he’s going out there and try to do whatever he can to help the team win. He’s playing in all the games, too. He’s going.

Joel Embiid has far and away been the MVP that the Philadelphia 76ers have needed amid the off-court drama surrounding their other All-Star player. He's done it not just with his on-court play, but the leadership and accountability he's established within the Sixers locker room.