Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers has secured the title of NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2022-23 season. In a tight contest between three of the league's most dominant big men, Embiid emerged victorious over the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokić for the prestigious Michael Jordan trophy.

During the regular season, Embiid led the league with an impressive average of 33.1 points per game, accompanied by 10.2 rebounds per game. This marks the first MVP award for Embiid, making him the first Cameroonian recipient and only the second African player to win the accolade. This achievement also signifies the fifth consecutive year that an international player has received the honor.

Despite suffering a knee injury that has sidelined him for the 76ers' last two games, Embiid's outstanding performance throughout the season has garnered praise and recognition. The Philadelphia 76ers' coach, Doc Rivers, revealed that Embiid's chances of playing in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics remain uncertain.

Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics were both strong contenders earlier in the season, topping the NBA's Kia Race to the MVP Ladder. However, their performances waned towards the end of the season, allowing the trio of Embiid, Antetokounmpo, and Jokić to take center stage.

Embiid, who had previously missed out on the MVP award and a spot in the All-NBA First Team for two consecutive seasons, finally achieved the recognition he deserved. Last year, he became the first player in 40 years to average over 30 points per game, following in the footsteps of four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal.

Golden State Warriors' guard Steph Curry previously expressed his support for Embiid's MVP bid, citing the player's remarkable progress this season. Curry told Bleacher Report that Embiid's unexpected leap in performance made him stand out and played a crucial role in putting the 76ers in a strong position.