76ers' Joel Embiid on Nikola Jokić Matchup: Everyone Is 'Trying to Make It Personal' | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid isn't putting more into Saturday's game against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets than any other regular-season matchup.

Speaking to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Embiid explained there's no personal feud with Jokić.

"It's a matchup between Philly and Denver," he said. "I know everybody keeps trying to make it personal. But I have nothing against Denver or Nikola. I've said it time and time, he's the best player in the league. I respect everything he's accomplished."

Embiid had 41 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in the Sixers' 126-121 win over the Nuggets on Jan. 16.

After that game, Embiid told reporters he and Jokić don't really care about the outside noise trying to pit them against each other in some sort of feud.

"It's funny because, you know, Twitter, they have a war going on between Philly fans and Denver fans," Embiid said. "And it's funny because both of us are just like, 'Who cares? We just want to play basketball and win some games' and so he deserved it."

Saturday's game does take on added significance because it will be just the second time Embiid has played in Denver. His last appearance at Ball Arena against the Nuggets was on Nov. 8, 2019. He had 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight turnovers in a 100-97 loss in that game.

The eight turnovers were tied for Embiid's most in a single game during the 2019-20 season.

There was pushback from fans and analysts, especially last season while he was bidding for an MVP award, that Embiid was intentionally avoiding playing Jokić.

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, a Sixers official confirmed Embiid won't be listed on the injury report for Saturday's showdown in Denver. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris will be questionable with a left ankle sprain and illness, respectively.

The Sixers and Nuggets enter this game with the same winning percentage (.674). Philadelphia is third in the Eastern Conference (29-14), while Denver is fourth in the Western Conference (31-15).

Embiid's current streak of 22 consecutive games with at least 30 points is the fourth-longest in NBA history. Jokić is riding his own streak of four straight games with at least 30 points, including a triple-double on Jan. 23 in a win over the Indiana Pacers.

The Sixers and Nuggets will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. ET.