Joel Embiid leads 76ers past C's as Doc Rivers declares MVP race 'over'

PHILADELPHIA — After watching Joel Embiid dismantle the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers was certain of only one thing.

«We did so many things wrong,» Rivers said, «but what we did right was Joel Embiid.»

«The MVP race is over.»

There are still five days remaining in the NBA's regular season. But after watching Embiid surgically take apart the Celtics, finishing with 52 points on a ridiculous 20-for-25 shooting performance in a 103-101 Philadelphia victory, it's hard to blame Rivers for getting a little ahead of himself.

«Joel should win it,» said James Harden, who had 20 points and 10 assists in 40 minutes. «He's been in contention for it the last few years. He led the league in scoring last year. It looks like he's going to lead the league in scoring this year. We're the third seed in the East. He's been consistent all year.»

Embiid was consistently on fire for every one of the 38 minutes and 37 seconds he was on the court, doing whatever he wanted against a Celtics team that came into Tuesday night's contest having won the first three meetings between the teams and has consistently had the 76ers' number in recent years.

But on Tuesday, they didn't have any answer for Embiid's dominance.

«I think the whole league's trying to figure that out right now,» Derrick White said when asked how to stop Embiid. «So, if you got any ideas, I think every other NBA team would like to know.»

Given these teams are very likely to meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Celtics would love to get some more ideas — though having both Jaylen Brown (back) and Robert Williams III (knee) on the court will help.

Embiid's night was one for the history books, as he became the first player in the shot