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Good morning. It’s rock, paper, scissors for spots 5-7 in the West.

Is the race ‘over’ after last night?

As we’ve learned on the internet, the MVP conversation is polarizing and damning of one’s character if they don’t pick the correct winner. And even the eventual winner might not be the correct winner if it’s not the guy YOU support. Then you blame the media for doing something they might not have done and call conspiracy on everybody.

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With the race between Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo coming down to the wire, every final impression matters as much as the first, second and 50th. Last night, Embiid not only scored 52 points, but he also became the second player in NBA history to have at least 50 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while making a minimum of 80 percent from the field (Wilt Chamberlain did it twice, of course.)

Embiid’s 52 points on 20-of-25 shooting, 13 boards and six assists powered the 76ers past the Celtics with a 103-101 victory. Sixers coach Doc Rivers – I’m sure without bias – declared the MVP race over.

It all happened on a night in which Jokić had a stinker (14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and eight turnovers) in a loss to Houston, one of the worst teams in the league.

We’re splitting hairs and not overreacting to one night, but also, we’re totally overreacting to everything.

More from a busy night: 

I got a chance to sit down with Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown for a 1-on-1 interview that aired on Stadium on Tuesday.

Celtics star Jaylen Brown sits down with @Stadium: “I get why people try to break up duos because so far, (Jayson and I) have been incredibly successful. At this point, we’re part of each other’s destiny.” On rookie year lessons, headlocks with Marcus Smart, sacrifice, much more. pic.twitter.com/WlnrlFh9f6

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 4, 2023

He was honest and open about a variety of things, from rookie year lessons to headlocks and his relationship with Marcus Smart, but a couple of things really stood out to me.

One other fun development to note, on the nostalgia tip, Fanatics is launching basketball cards under its Topps brand, beginning next season.

Back to you, Zach!

You’re in the playoffs! No, wait, you are!

The Warriors, Clippers and Lakers are adding to the confusion of the West playoff race on almost an hourly basis. The Clippers were one of the few teams with Tuesday night off, but their showdown with the Lakers tonight will hopefully add some clarity.

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The Lakers beat the Jazz 135-133 in overtime to push themselves into the No. 6 seed, finally ridding themselves of that nasty Play-In Tournament sludgy film that coats any team in there. And the Clippers moved up to the fifth seed on their night off. That cleanliness lasted about an hour.

The Warriors came back from down double digits in the second half against OKC (of course, they were in San Francisco; that’s how you know something good happened for Golden State). Steph Curry and Jordan Poole eventually took down the Thunder (with Andrew Wiggins in the house) and pushed OKC two games behind Minnesota at No. 9 and just a half-game ahead of Dallas for missing the postseason altogether.

The Warriors won 136-125, which then pushed the Lakers back into the Play-In swamp. Golden State shot up to fifth, and the Clips went back down to sixth.

Try and guess how this all ends. Nobody will believe your theory.

More from the West: 

More from the East: 

The craziest highlight I’ve ever seen

There will be a point when Victor Wembanyama is called overrated and overhyped. It might have even started in some corners of the internet, as people decide to buck against the trend. Today will not be that day. Because the most ridiculous highlight I’ve ever seen was orchestrated by Wembanyama this past weekend, and it shut down the internet for a few.

The beginning of the highlight was magical on its own. The 7-foot-4 Wembanyama, going against a guard, showed off his handle. Hit him with the Jesus Shuttlesworth between the legs back-and-forth. Then went into a fake drive and smooth stepback 3-point attempt. That’s when something unfathomable happened.

He missed the shot front rim, followed it and dunked it home in one motion. That’s right. Wembanyama shot a stepback 3 and dunked home his own miss.

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You are required to watch. Check it out from this angle. This is his body angle when he comes down from letting the shot go:

It makes no sense that two seconds later, he’s hitting the boards like the asteroid that smacked into the planet 66 million years ago.

Buy all the hype. Embrace Wembanyamania! Enjoy this experience.

Buy this book! “Embrace the Madness: A Journey Through the Highs, Lows, and Unforgettable Moments of the 2022-23 College Basketball Season” from The Athletic.

You already know it’s NSFW but I will watch any and all clips of Rasheed Wallace coaching basketball.

Great story: How Draymond Green became a motivated autism activist.

In Seth Partnow’s latest unveiling of Player Tiers, Lauri Markkanen and De’Aaron Fox have made significant rises.

Damichael Cole on what the Grizzlies need from Ja Morant on the court.

Seerat Sohi writes about the start of something special in Oklahoma City.

Cari Champion joins The Athletic NBA Show.

(Top photo of Joel Embiid: Bill Streicher / USA Today)