The battle between the Sixers and Nuggets, and between the two MVP frontrunners, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, came down to whom you’d expect: Bones Hyland. SIChrisMannix explains
Nuggets Rookie Bones Hyland Steals the Show From MVP Frontrunners
On a night when Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid clashed in Philadelphia, a 21-year-old guard with an incredible backstory ended up being the main attraction.PHILADELPHIA – In the end, the battle between the Sixers and Nuggets, and between the two MVP frontrunners, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokić, came down to whom you’d expect.
What a game. It didn’t appear headed that way early. The Sixers built a 15-point lead in the first quarter. It eventually swelled to 19. The Nuggets, losers of two straight coming into Philadelphia, looked shook. In the second quarter, things started to turn. Jokić got going. Will Barton, too. By halftime, the 76ers’ lead was down to five. It was dead even midway through the fourth quarter … when Hyland gotYou may not know Hyland. You should. His story is unique. And tragic.
Hyland did. He returned in time for his senior season, averaging nearly 27 points. He went to VCU, where he made the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie team as a freshman. He was named A-10 Player of the Year as a sophomore. He declared for the NBA draft last spring. Nuggets GM Tim Connelly, one of the NBA’s sharpest eyes for talent, snapped him up with the 26th pick. He scored in double figures in three straight games in November. He dropped 24 points in a win in Atlanta in December.