On Friday, Joel Embiid is set to continue his impressive scoring form as the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Orlando Magic.

Embiid clinched 41 points for the second consecutive game and contributed 10 assists and seven rebounds, guiding the 76ers to their third successive victory, a 126-121 triumph over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

The reigning NBA MVP outshone Nikola Jokic, a two-time recipient of the award and the current NBA Finals MVP.

“I’m extremely competitive, if anybody didn’t know,” Embiid said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “So if you are telling me that this is the best player in the league, and this guy is better than me, of course, I’m going to go out and try to see for myself if people are right.”

“It can be Giannis (Antetokounmpo). It can be Steph (Curry), it can be KD (Kevin Durant), it can be Anthony Davis, all those guys. I just want to see for myself if they really bother me and what I can do to be better than them.”

Embiid’s recent scoring performance is not an anomaly, as he has amassed 18 consecutive games with a minimum of 30 points, matching the sixth-longest streak in NBA history, currently held by Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor.

Embiid’s remarkable achievement encompasses three missed games due to knee soreness and seven absences out of nine games owing to a sore knee and sprained ankle.

Embiid was absent during Philadelphia’s 112-92 victory against Orlando on Dec. 27.

However, Tyrese Maxey amassed 23 points while Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton each contributed 22 points for the 76ers.

Harris demonstrated his mettle in Embiid’s recent absence by accumulating 32 and 37 points against the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, respectively. Despite scoring 24 points against Denver, he notably registered a game-high plus-13 alongside five rebounds and two blocks.

“I’m just trying to be effective,” Harris said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Everywhere on the court, I’m trying to make an impact, whether it’s on the defensive end, finding out a way to help our team to be more versatile as a group.”

“At the same time, just figuring out different spots to be in.”

The Magic have endured four losses in their past five games as they prepare for a three-game homestand, commencing with the encounter on Friday. They concluded a four-game road stint with a 106-104 loss to the Hawks on Wednesday.

Paolo Banchero netted 26 points for Orlando, although it was Dejounte Murray who secured victory for Atlanta with a 17-foot shot at the final whistle.

Frans Wagner has been sidelined for seven consecutive games due to a right ankle injury. However, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley anticipates his return to action “sooner than later.”

Despite his absence on the court, Wagner has actively supported his teammates and consistently provides insights from the sidelines.

“He’s such a great basketball mind and he’s a great human, so it’s always good being around him,” Jalen Suggs said, per the Orlando Sentinel. “I can’t wait to get him back in the fold, but he’s been a part of everything we’ve been doing still.”

Wagner accumulated 24 points, Suggs contributed 20, and Banchero added 19 points alongside nine rebounds in their previous clash against the 76ers.