James Harden gifts Joel Embiid with a $42,000

PHILADELPHIA 76ers star James Harden has gifted teammate Joel Embiid a $42,000-plus custom Rolex to celebrate the center winning the 2023 NBA MVP award.

The Rolex had "23 MVP" engraved on the back of its bezel, making Embiid's first-ever watch all the more special.

Harden, 33, surprised Embiid, 29, a few hours before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Sixers and Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

"Woooo, my first Rolex," the newly-anointed NBA MVP said as he opened the mysterious box handed to him by the point guard.

The watch turned out to be a 40-millimeter rose gold Day-Date Rolex with a waterproof Oyster bezel and perpetual motor, priced at $41,500 for the non-customized model.

Rolex actually calls the color Everose gold, explaining it's "an exclusive 18-carat pink gold alloy cast" that aims to "preserve the beauty of its pink gold watches."

The watch featured a distinct fluted bezel with a sundust-colored dial inside, featuring Roman numerals to denote each hour.

Rolex claims the sunray finish of the dial diffuses light "along each engraving, creating a characteristic subtle glow that moves depending on the position of the wrist."

Unfortunately, Embiid couldn't immediately start to dazzle with the shiny new Rolex on his wrist as the bracelet was too tight to slide over the seven-footer's huge hand.

Still, he couldn't contain his excitement, walking around with the gift in his hand and showing it to people around the arena.

The Cameroon-born center even asked those near him: "How do you wear watches?"

Harden's surprise for Embiid made for a touching pass-the-baton moment considering he commemorated his teammate's MVP title having won the award himself in 2018.

He was also the first Sixers player to approach and embrace the Cameroon native after he was officially announced as the NBA's most valuable player on Tuesday evening.

Embiid received the honor after finishing second in the MVP ballot for two straight years.

He averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in the 2022-23 regular season, claiming a back-to-back scoring title.

Embiid missed the opening matchup of the series with the Celtics due to a knee injury.

But Philly still took a 1-0 series lead after winning 119-115 in Game 1 thanks to Harden's 45-point performance.