Joel Embiid insists he's happy not to be involved in 'toxic' NBA MVP discussion after returning from a two-month spell on the sidelines... before claiming this year's race is 'kind of BORING'

Joel Embiid said on Thursday that he's 'happy' not to be involved in the 'toxic' MVP conversation after returning this week from a long injury layoff.

Embiid, last year's MVP, has played just 36 games this season, as he underwent a partial removal of the lateral meniscus in his left knee in February. The NBA has set a 65-game minimum for end-of-season awards.

Thus, the center is far away from the MVP race, which he also called 'kind of boring' after the Sixers' win over the Heat. 

"I'm happy I'm not in the [MVP] conversation, that conversation has been toxic for a long time,' he told reporters, while adding there's 'not enough toxicity.'

'I'm glad I'm not nowhere near to that, I'm just focused on getting back healthy,' he continued. 'You know, obviously, all  great candidates, they all deserve to win. It's just unfortunate that only one person has to win.'

With Embiid ineligible for MVP, two-time winner Nikola Jokic has established himself as the frontrunner with another masterful campaign.

Entering the Nuggets' matchup vs. the Clippers on Thursday, the Serbian big man was averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and nine assists, with Denver tied with Minnesota for the West's best record.

Jokic received 85 of 100 first-place votes for the award in the latest MVP straw poll conducted by ESPN. 

Luka Doncic, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo are also rivaling Jokic for the award, with Doncic leading the league in scoring average (33.8) and Gilgeous-Alexander leading it in 30-point games (50).

Embiid, who returned on Tuesday from his knee injury, has been hugely impressive in limited action, averaging 34.8 points and 10.9 rebounds.

He had 29 and four in Miami on Thursday, as the Sixers earned a crucial 109-105 win.

With the victory, Philly (currently eighth in the East) moved within a game of the sixth seed (occupied by the Pacers), which would see them avoid the play-in tournament if they can rise to that spot with five games left.