Front and center in the MVP conversation all year long, there’s no denying that Joel Embiid is a giant of the game. In 2022-23, Embiid took his game to new heights following up last season’s scoring title with a 33.1 points-per-game career high. Having guided his team to their greatest regular season in two decades, all eyes are on how this top-tier squad shows out in the postseason.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid Redemption for 2023 NBA Playoffs

Milwaukee Bucks superstar and MVP winner Giannis Antetokounmpo drives from the top of the key and throws down a nasty left-handed dunk over two Indiana Pacers defenders on November 16, 2019.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo attacks off dribble, puts two Pacers on poster

In James Harden’s return to Brooklyn, Joel Embiid helped his teammate pick up a win against his old squad. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard inbounded the basketball to Embiid, who decided he wanted to fire from long range as he took two dribbles backward and nailed one of Harden’s patented step-back 3-pointers. In another monster season for Embiid, the six-time All-Star overwhelmed the Brooklyn Nets with 37 points on 12 of 18 shooting and added 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the 101-98 victory on February 11, 2023. 

Joel Embiid steps back to beat shot clock with fadeaway three

As one of the league’s most prominent two-way stars, A’ja Wilson is in the business of making the opposition look bad on both ends of the court — oftentimes on consecutive plays. First, Wilson denies an overmatched Los Angeles Sparks shooter with an unforgiving block before flipping a switch and gliding down the court alongside a driving teammate in transition. Grabbing a pass, the Las Vegas Aces cornerstone, takes one dribble and drains a foul line pull-up right in the face of a defender. Wilson was in complete control, dominating to the tune of 35 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and an assist in her team’s 89-72 victory on June 11, 2022.

A'ja Wilson

A'ja Wilson slides from help-side to send layup attempt into floor

Before he was named the 2023 Most Valuable Player, Joel Embiid built a lengthy highlight reel for voters to choose from. The six-time Philadelphia 76ers All-Star buried a foul line fadeaway over Jusuf Nurkić with 1.1 seconds remaining to prevent the Portland Trail Blazers from stealing a road victory. The clutch basket gave the 76ers their first and only lead of the game as Embiid dominated to the tune of 39 points on 13 of 20 from the field along with seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and three blocks in the exhilarating 120-119 triumph on March 10, 2023. 

Just try and stop him! Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo catches the pass at the top of the key, spins off his defender, and rocks the rim with a massive one-handed slam against the Orlando Magic on August 20, 2020.

Giannis Antetokounmpo drops 28 points, 20 rebounds in 2020 Playoffs

It’s not just the vision that sets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic apart, it’s the skill to execute his ideas. Jokic makes eye contact with a streaking JaMychal Green then laces a perfectly spun, one-handed bounce pass up the court without breaking stride. Green finished with an open flush against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 5, 2021.

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić whips transition bounce pass up floor for dunk

Forget everything you know about conventional basketball when Nikola Jokić hits the floor. The mesmerizing Denver Nuggets center defies positional norms yet again on January 7, 2022, seamlessly carrying the rock the length of the floor against the Sacramento Kings, then hitting JaMychal Green in stride with a casual no-look, one-handed entry feed. Jokić finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win. 

Nikola Jokić zip no-look pass up floor for casual transition dime

It’s been a minute since Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic split time in the same frontcourt. Checked by his former teammate out at the perimeter, the Denver Nuggets center and recently crowned 2020-21 NBA MVP pulls up and lets fly a deep three-pointer in Game 5 of their Round 1 playoff matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on June 3, 2021.

Nikola Jokić buries triple in face of former frontcourt mate in 2021 Playoffs

While it would still be months before he was crowned as the NBA MVP, Joel Embiid got his 2023 off to a dynamite start. The six-time All-Star cut toward the basket to receive a James Harden bounce pass and let his momentum take him the rest of the way before finishing the possession with a contested and-1 layup through the teeth of the Utah Jazz defense. As one of the more expressive players in the league, Embiid had some extra fun while rolling around on the baseline following the conversion — part of a 42-point, 11-rebound, five-assist performance while shooting 15 of 24 from the field in a 120-111 victory on January 2, 2023. It was one of 13 games of at least 40 points in 2022-23 for Embiid, tied for third-most in the NBA. 

Joel Embiid rolls along baseline after converting tough two

“Nikola Jokić. League MVP for a reason.” Kevin Durant narrates one from his favorite plays of the season from the game-changing Denver Nuggets center as Jokić gets open for an inbound pass, catches it at the top of the perimeter, quickly squares up and fires a high-flying triple over the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkić. The reigning MVP notched 28 points and flirted with a triple double in an emphatic win at home on November 14, 2021.

Nikola Jokić drains deep three to beat end of quarter buzzer

Nikola Jokic sees angles that the rest of us could only dream of. The Denver Nuggets center takes an entry pass against the Cleveland Cavaliers, dribbles to the baseline then wraps a pass around the defense to a wide open JaMychal Green while falling out of bounds. Jokic finished the game with a 16-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double on February 19, 2021.

Nikola Jokić wraps dime around defender while falling out of bounds

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Joel Embiid

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Joel Embiid

A'ja Wilson

Joel Embiid

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Joel Embiid

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić