Joel Embiid put in an MVP-calibre performance in a historic 70-point display for the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, but a new rule brought in this season may prevent him from being named the league's best player for the campaign.
In a bid to prevent players and teams overdoing load management in the regular season, the NBA introduced a new 65-game requirement to be eligible for postseason awards.
The move caused a stir ahead of the new season with a mixed reaction from players and coaches, although the majority appeared to be in favour of the move to help with fan engagement and getting more tuning in with the best players playing every night.
But with the season now passing the halfway stage, concern is growing that Embiid may now fall foul of the new rule despite his historic season.
Joel Embiid scored 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs
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The 76ers star is averaging a league-high 36.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, but has already missed 10 games this season.
It means he can only miss seven of Philadelphia's final 40 games of the regular season before he becomes ineligible for this year's MVP award.
But Embiid's historic night in setting a new 76ers team record with his 70-point display on Monday has sparked a fresh debate over the rule.
He's the only player in NBA history to score 70-plus points in 37 minutes or less after shooting shooting 24 of 41 from the field and 21 of 23 from the free throw line.
The 29-year-old is seen as the favourite to be named this year's MVP and his display against the Spurs has only strengthened his odds.
Embiid himself has not taken issue with the 65-game threshold, stating playoffs and winning championships matter more to him.
But NBA fans feel the league has shot itself in the foot by introducing the minimum requirement to qualify for postseason awards.
One fan moaned: "Embiid is right that the playoffs matter more, but this season he’s having makes the 65 game threshold look dumb as hell."
Another said: "Adam Silver needs to suspend the 65 game rule for Embiid."
American sports presenter Rachel Nicholas noted: "Reminder that Embiid might not be eligible for MVP, thanks to the new NBA rule requiring at least 65 games played for postseason awards. (He’s already missed 11 of 42 games.) Gonna keep saying it - I get wanting to address load management, but this wasn’t the place to do it."
Joel Embiid has already missed 10 games this season
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76ers head coach Nick Nurse is reserving any judgement on the new policy until the end of the season and whether it comes into play.
“The only time I ever give it any thought is when you ask me about it,” said Nurse.
“Again, I don’t think fair—it’s the first year of us doing this. I think we just got to kind of have to—before we speculate on what it looks like, we gotta get there.
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NBA players must play in 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards
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"We got to see where we are what happens and what decisions are made. See if he’s played, you know?
“I’m just happy that I think he’s playing well and getting better.
“I think that he’s really in tune, focused, and he wants his team to get better and to win.
"I think from an overall standpoint, we’re really happy with where his conditioning, his body, and all that stuff is, and that’s all I probably think about. Just keep managing that as we go.”
