The reigning league MVP, Joel Embiid, was a late scratch for the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets on Saturday in Denver. That disappointed NBA legend Magic Johnson, who was looking forward to the showdown of the league’s two best big men right now.

While Embiid was not initially mentioned on the Sixers’ injury report before the game, unlike fellow starters Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey, he was declared out minutes before tipoff with left knee pain, according to ESPN.

The Philadelphia big man had warmed up with the team before the game, so his decision not to play surprised many, including Johnson. The five-time NBA champion and LA Lakers star turned to Twitter to express his disappointment with the canceled matchup between Embiid and Jokic.

He also expressed his excitement over the matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry in the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Johnson wrote:

“I’m quite disappointed that I won’t be able to watch Jokic vs. Embiid, as Embiid has declared he will not be playing. But I’m excited to see stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry face a battle at 5:30! The Lakers and Warriors have been struggling, so this may be a game-changing win for either team!”

Joel Embiid missed another season of action at the Ball Arena. He last appeared in an NBA game in Denver in 2019, when the Nuggets rallied from a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to overcome the Sixers, with Jokic hitting the game-winning shot.

On Saturday, the Sixers lost 111-105 to the Nuggets without their big man. This season, Embiid averages 36.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 34.2 minutes per game.