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Joel Embiid continues to make a case for the Michael Jordan MVP Trophy after a monster January showing.
The NBA announced its monthly award winners on Thursday, February 2, 2023.
Cameroonian professional basketball player Joel Embiid was crowned as the best player in the Eastern Conference for the month of January.
The 28-year-old Embiid was named the best player from the East following a series of dominant performances in the month of January.
Embiid featured in 10 games for the Philadelphia 76ers as they recorded eight victories and two defeats.
The Yaounde-born basketball star averaged 34.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in January.
The award shows the impact of Embiid's dominance as the 76ers are now third in the Eastern Conference.
Nikola Jokic named Western Conference Player of the Month
Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic emerged winner of the Western Conference Player of the Month award.
Jokic featured in 12 games for the Denver Nuggets in the month of January as they recorded 10 victories and two defeats.
The two-time reigning Most Valuable Player award winner averaged a triple-double in January.
Jokic's averages in January are 24 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 11.3 assists.
In the month of January, Jokic and Embiid faced off in a battle of MVP candidates.
It was Embiid who was victorious against the reigning MVP as he dropped 47 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to victory against the Nuggets.
Jokic, however, has the Nuggets top of the West, while Embiid's 76ers are still behind the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics in the East.
NBA Rookie of the Month award
The Rookie of the Month awards for the Eastern and Western Conference were also announced by the NBA.
In the East, 2022 NBA number one overall pick Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic emerged the winner.
Banchero in January, led all rookies in scoring averaging 20.9 points adding 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
In the West, number four overall pick Keegand Murry of the Sacramento Kings emerged the winner.
Playing a key role for the Kings sitting third in the West, Murray averaged 14 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shot nearly 50 percent from three-point range.
Embiid continues MVP case
Embiid finished as runner-up to Jokic for the MVP award last season.
The big man from Cameroon was the leading scorer last season and is doing so again this season.
Left off the NBA all-starters, Embiid returns to action when the Philadelphia 76ers travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
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