The NBA MVP race just became a little more wide open now that Joel Embiid’s chances at a repeat have ended.

The Philadelphia 76ers big man was the odds-on favorite at the midway mark of the season, before the announcement that he would need surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his left knee.

Embiid will be evaluated in four weeks, and presumably be out much longer, after having surgery Tuesday. The Sixers did not release any kind of timetable on his return.

There’s still a chance he could return for the postseason – there’s just no chance he can extend his MVP reign given the league’s new rules on minimum games necessary to be eligible for awards.

Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo slide into the MVP driver’s seat.

Jokic, in particular, has the inside track to earn a third MVP title in four seasons for the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Close behind is Gilgeous-Alexander, the rising standout for Oklahoma City, and never count out the “Greek Freak.”

Really, though, this could be the year of the dark horse as someone not named Embiid, Jokic or Antetokounmpo attempts to claim the NBA MVP trophy for the first time since 2017-18.

The odds favor Jokic, improving to minus-150 according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Gilgeous-Alexander is at plus-230 and Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP winner, checks in at plus-650.

A few long shots are worth observing, one of whom is Jalen Brunson. Even without Julius Randle, the New York Knicks are still in the hunt for the MVP award, and his stature is growing. Remember Kawhi Leonard as well, who served as a spark for the Los Angeles Clippers’ comeback.

Or Luka Doncic, the star guard for Dallas, who scored the most points of the season on January 26 with 73 (Embiid had 70 four days earlier). or Jayson Tatum, the all-around forward for Boston. Or even Anthony Edwards, who has led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference with the Thunder and is at plus-50,000 to win an MVP.

Due to Embiid’s misfortune, there is now more room for criticism of the game-minimum standards in place this season, which were put in place to discourage “load management,” or resting healthy players, in addition to the MVP race. In most cases, players must participate in 65 regular-season games under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement in order to be considered for awards like MVP or All-NBA teams.

It’s a slippery slope.

Embiid hurt his left knee last week in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. But he had already been bothered by knee injuries this season that cost him considerable playing time. He sat out the game in Denver and another in Portland before suffering an injury that requires surgery.

“Health is something that we just cannot take for granted,” said Monica McNutt, an NBA, WNBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN. “I was even at the point of like, ‘OK, well, if (Embiid) misses MVP, he’s already been able to accomplish that.’ You just want him healthy in the postseason. … I mean, our league is at its best when the stars are available and doing what they do best brightly on the biggest stages.”

Jokic has been doing that for quite some time, and is soaring again this season in averaging 26.3 points per game, 12.2 rebounds and nine assists. Those are stats right in line with what he posted in his MVP seasons of 2020-21 and ‘21-22.

“He’s the best passer I have ever seen in any position,” said Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. “He’s really unique. There’s just nothing like it. He brings the ball up the floor and he just does it all. He puts you in a lot of tough spots defensively.”

No argument from Jokic’s coach, Michael Malone, who’s seen his versatile center record 15 triple-doubles this season. Jokic also was the NBA Finals MVP last season as the Nuggets won their first title.

“Just his ability to be great for himself, but more importantly, his ability to make everyone around him better,” Malone said. “That truly is the definition of greatness.

“We have been spoiled, I’m sure. Some of us do find ourselves maybe taking it for granted. But just remind yourself that there are not many guys like Nikola Jokic that walk through those doors and appreciate every opportunity that you have to watch him play.”

There’s some great basketball being played in Oklahoma City by Gilgeous-Alexander, too. The sixth-year player just keeps improving and leads the league in overall points, steals and free throws this season.

Antetokounmpo stays in the MVP conversation season after season after season. He’s been flourishing in a new system and averaging 34.3 points in four games since Doc Rivers took over as coach.

One thing’s clear: It’s shaping up to be an entertaining finish in this tight MVP race.