Sources - Joel Embiid out vs. Nuggets; James Harden to return

Ahead of a much-anticipated meeting of two MVP front-runners, the Philadelphia 76ers are ruling out center Joel Embiid against the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic on Monday night, sources told ESPN.

Embiid has been laboring with a sore right calf, and the Sixers decided to take a precautionary approach given the density of the team's recent schedule, sources said.

Embiid did try to give it a go at the shootaround Monday morning, but the Sixers decided to give him some rest.

Monday's game in Denver is the Sixers' third in four nights. Embiid played in both legs of the Sixers' back-to-back against the Warriors and Suns on Friday and Saturday.

Embiid had 47 points and 18 rebounds against Denver in a Jan. 28 victory in Philadelphia, but the rematch on Monday in Denver won't materialize.

James Harden, who has missed three straight games with a sore Achilles, is on track to return tonight, sources said. He participated in the Monday shootaround.