Jokic Praises Embiid During MVP Race

During the 2022–23 MVP season, reporters asked Nikola Jokic about Joel Embiid as part of routine media coverage on March 28, 2023. Jokic responded by praising Embiid’s overall game and impact, saying in comments reported by Sports Illustrated, "I think he’s a great player," and noting Embiid’s multi-faceted ability to affect games [4]. The quote was published in the context of the MVP conversation, where Jokic was the two-time defending winner and Embiid was a principal challenger. Immediate reaction to the quote in media coverage framed Jokic’s words as an expression of professional respect that complicated narratives of direct hostility between the two players. Journalists used the remark as a primary-source counterpoint to fan-driven stories and to emphasize that competition at the top of the league included public acknowledgement between the parties. Jokic’s comments were included in broader reporting on MVP voting and head-to-head matchups.

Jokic’s March 28, 2023 praise is significant because it is a direct, contemporaneous quote from one principal about the other during an active MVP debate. The statement demonstrates that, in public, Jokic acknowledged Embiid’s talent and impact, which undermines claims that their dynamic was primarily personal animus. The remark therefore factors into assessing the relationship as competitive and respectful rather than a sustained personal feud [4].

Following Jokic’s public praise, media outlets and commentators cited the quote when tempering fan narratives of a feud. The remark did not end or resolve award debates, but it served as a documented instance of mutual professional regard that was later referenced alongside Embiid’s on-court performances and the eventual MVP vote outcome [4][5].