Joel Embiid is boosting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's NBA MVP case with every missed game
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP candidacy might swing on the simplest of stats: How many games will Joel Embiid play?
The Sixers superstar and reigning MVP missed his 11th game Saturday, putting Embiid in a precarious position. Embiid can only miss six more games. Any more than that, and Embiid will be disqualified from the major individual awards — including MVP and All-NBA.
The new rule, part of the latest collective bargaining agreement, requires players to play in a minimum of 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards. In an 82-game season, players can miss a maximum of 17 games.
The rule could decide the MVP race. Right now, Embiid is the favorite. He’s averaging a ridiculous 36.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He has 54% FG, 37% 3FG, 88% FT shooting splits.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points, 6.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. He leads the league with 2.3 steals per game. SGA’s shooting splits: 55% FG, 33% 3FG, 89% FT. Not as gaudy numbers as Embiid’s, but MVP worthy, especially given the Thunder’s top standing in the West.
More: Ranking Kentucky players in NBA: Where does OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander land?
Those numbers might not end up mattering as much as these.
Embiid missed games: 11.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed games: 1.
SGA entered Sunday having played 1,512 minutes. Embiid has logged 1,127 minutes. SGA ranks 18th in the NBA in total minutes. Embiid ranks 101st. Even if Embiid surpasses the games played minimum, that minute discrepancy could play a factor.
The MVP isn’t a two-man race between SGA and Embiid, but the list of candidates is no more than six.
Here’s how FanDuel broke down the MVP race as of Sunday afternoon. Games missed are in parentheses.
1. Joel Embiid (76ers), +200 (11)
2. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), +200 (1)
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), +340 (1)
4. Luka Doncic (Mavericks), +700 (7)
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), +1000 (2)
6. Jayson Tatum (Celtics), +5000 (3)
More: OKC Thunder falls to Detroit, loses sole possession of first place in the West
Former Oklahoma prep stars among top MLB prospects
MLB.com recently released its top-100 prospects, with three of the top-30 players hailing from the Oklahoma City metro.
1. SS/2B Jackson Holliday, Orioles (Stillwater)
Holliday dominated the lower levels in his first year of pro ball. Holliday isn’t guaranteed to make Baltimore’s Opening Day roster, but the 20-year-old infielder looks big-league ready.
25. RHP Jackson Jobe, Tigers (Heritage Hall)
Jobe, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, is the second-ranked right-handed pitching prospect behind Paul Skenes, the former LSU star who was drafted first overall by the Pirates. In two minor league seasons, Jobe has a 3.38 ERA with 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. With only 141 innings of pro ball under his belt, the 21-year-old is unlikely to make his MLB debut this season.
26. RHP Cade Horton, Cubs (Norman)
From Norman High School to OU to Wrigley Field? It’s certainly a possibility. Horton made it to Double-A last season and could crack the Cubs’ rotation sometime in 2024. Horton was named to the College World Series All-Tournament team during the Sooners’ 2022 run. The Cubs selected him with the No. 7 pick, and Horton has proven worthy of the investment.
More: How OKC Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins 'is like a Swiss Army knife' for West co-leaders
OU women’s basketball surging
Skyler Vann scored 21 points to lead the Sooners to a 60-55 win Saturday against Kansas. Suddenly, Jennie Baranczyk’s squad is alone in second place in the Big 12.
The Sooners (13-6, 7-1 Big 12) are off to their best conference start since the 2014-15 season.
OU went 14-4 in the Big 12 last season, sharing the conference regular-season crown with Texas.
Up next for the Sooners is a 6 p.m. Wednesday date with Kansas State (20-1, 9-0 Big 12) in Norman. The Sooners could take over first place in the Big 12 with an upset of the Wildcats.
More: OKC Thunder live score updates vs. Timberwolves: Western Conference co-leaders meet again
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Joel Embiid could swing NBA MVP race to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
