Joel Embiid insists he’s happy not to be involved in ‘toxic’ NBA MVP discussion after returning from a two-month spell on the sidelines… before claiming this year’s race is ‘kind of BORING’

Joel Embiid said Thursday that he’s “happy” not to be involved in the “toxic” MVP conversation after returning from a long injury layoff this week.

Embiid, last year’s MVP, has played in just 36 games this season, having had a partial removal of the lateral meniscus in his left knee in February. The NBA has set a minimum of 65 games for end-of-season awards.

Thus, the center is far from the race for the MVP, which he also described as “a little boring” after the Sixers’ victory over the Heat.

“I’m glad I’m not in the (MVP) conversation, that conversation has been toxic for a long time,” he told reporters, adding that “there’s not enough toxicity.”

“I’m glad I’m not even close to that, I’m just focused on getting healthy,” he continued. ‘You know, obviously, all the big candidates deserve to win. It’s a shame that only one person has to win.”

Nikola Jokic appears to be the favorite to win the MVP award (for the third time)

With Embiid ineligible for MVP, two-time winner Nikola Jokic has established himself as the favorite with another masterful campaign.

Entering the Nuggets’ matchup against the Clippers on Thursday, the Serbian center was averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and nine assists, with Denver tied with Minnesota for the best record in the West.

Jokic received 85 of 100 first-place votes for the award in the latest MVP poll conducted by ESPN.

Luka Doncic, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo also compete with Jokic for the award, with Doncic leading the league in scoring average (33.8) and Gilgeous-Alexander leading the league in games with 30 points (50).

Embiid, who returned from his knee injury Tuesday, has been hugely impressive in limited action, averaging 34.8 points and 10.9 rebounds.

He was 29 and four in Miami on Thursday, as the Sixers earned a crucial 109-105 victory.

With the win, Philadelphia (currently eighth in the East) moved within one game of sixth place (occupied by the Pacers), which would see them avoid the play-in tournament if they can move up to that spot with five games remaining.