Joel Embiid Receives MVP Trophy but Celtics Spoil Party With Game 3 Win Over Sixers

Joel Embiid Receives MVP Trophy but Celtics Spoil Party With Game 3 Win Over Sixers

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at May 6, 2023 at 8:24 AM
  • Joel Embiid was presented with the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy before Game 3 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics
  • The MVP had a touching moment with his son Arthur during the ceremony led by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
  • However, his night of delight quickly turned into agony as the Sixers lost to the Celtics

Joel Embiid finally received the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy before the Philadelphia 76ers took on the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of Round 2 in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, his MVP party was spoiled by the Celtics, who beat them 114-102 to take a 2-1 series lead.

Joel Embiid, James Harden, Sixers, Celtics, NBA, Cameroon, Basketball Without Borders, NBA Africa
Joel Embiid with his MVP award and his son. Photos by Tim Nwachukwu.
Source: Getty Images

Earlier this week, the Cameroon star became only the second African to win the MVP award after Haleem Olajuwon, who won it in 1994.

The 29-year-old received 73 of a possible 100 first-place votes. He led the Sixers to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and averaged a league-best 33.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ click on "Recommended for you" and enjoy!

He beat two former MVPs Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The MVP will now have to rally his team in Game 4 to prevent them from going 3-1 down. In Game 3, he finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks in 39 minutes, per ESPN.

Embiid presented with MVP trophy

Before Game 3, he was given the award in a ceremony led by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The ceremony featured his teammates and family.

He broke down when his son, Arthur, ran across the court to hug him.

"Honestly, he's the main reason why I'm really here," Embiid said. "Becoming a father changed my whole life. I just wanted to show him a good example, and I'm glad he's here with us," via CBS Sports.

Embiid is now the fifth 76ers player to win the award, joining Wilt Chamberlain (1966-1968), along with Julius Erving (1981), Moses Malone (1983), and Allen Iverson (2001).

International winners of NBA MVP

Sports Brief earlier reported international players who've won the award following Embiid's recent success.

On Tuesday, the 76ers star made history, becoming the sixth NBA player born outside of the USA to win.

Others on the list include Hakeem Olajuwon - the first international MVP - Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.