The NBA MVP race has become a back-and-forth battle between two phenomenal centers. While Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is the favorite to win the trophy, the potential runner-up, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia Sixers, will use the possible defeat (if it happens) to motivate him going forward. In an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Embiid seems understandable if the MVP Award doesn’t swing in his favor.

Joel Embiid stated in his interview that if the MVP Award is not his, then it wasn’t meant to be. He also later explained that losing the award will keep him motivated to stay healthy for the playoffs.

Joel Embiid was the leading candidate for the MVP Award until the all-star break. When he was later sidelined with an injury, the narrative switched over to Jokic. Despite Embiid’s chances to lose the award, the Philadelphia 76ers remain, title contenders, as they have the first seed in the Eastern Conference.

Joel Embiid is averaging 29.2 points per game along with 10.7 rebounds. Like always, he has been the leading factor for Philadelphia and continues to lead the way.

Shaq, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Sixers, Nuggets Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid and his co-star Ben Simmons have done a tremendous job as leaders on and off the floor. Despite injuries and lineup changes, the Sixers have remained a threat and lead the Brooklyn Nets by 1.5 games in the East.

The Sixers have two more games against the Orlando Magic after their Thursday night matchup with the Miami Heat, which they lost in a contentious battle marked by an emotional confrontation between Philadelphia's Dwight Howard and Miami's Udonis Haslem. The seeding situation remains very fluid in the entire NBA, not just the East, with only two regular-season games remaining for most teams in the league. After the season, the 76ers will wait for the winner of the play-in tournament to determine who their first-round matchup will be.