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Nikola Jokic milestone against Portland makes Joel Embiid comparison stark
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- Nikola Jokic milestone against Portland makes Joel Embiid comparison stark
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Nikola Jokic continues to redefine consistency in the NBA, and his latest milestone has only sharpened the contrast with Joel Embiid .
The Denver Nuggets star recorded his 192nd career triple-double in Sunday's 128-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers .
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Jokic finished the game with 22 points, 14 assists and 14 rebounds, adding another all-around display to his growing legacy. It was another reminder of his ability to impact every phase of the game.
The timing of the achievement has drawn attention for another reason. It highlights a striking comparison with Embiid, his main rival for the 2022-23 MVP award.
Nikola Jokic's triple-double run puts Joel Embiid comparison into focus
Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Since Embiid edged Jokic to win the 2022-23 MVP, the Serbian has responded in remarkable fashion. He went on to lead Denver to the NBA title that same season, securing Finals MVP honours.
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Now, according to basketball writer Andy Bailey, Jokic has recorded 87 triple-doubles in that span.
Incredibly, that number is close to the total games Embiid has played over the same period. The Philadelphia 76ers star has appeared in just 91 games, largely due to ongoing injury struggles.
The gap reflects an ongoing issue. While Embiid remains one of the most dominant centres in the league when fit, injuries have consistently limited his impact.
The Philadelphia 76ers are still waiting for his return after a right oblique strain suffered last month.
Embiid has not played since 26 February, although recent updates suggest he has resumed workouts despite lingering soreness.
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In that context, there have been no new setbacks, but the uncertainty over his return remains.
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