76ers C Joel Embiid (foot) won’t play vs. Kings

Jan 1, 2025, 8:20 AM | Updated: 8:32 am

Sactown Sports

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid will be a spectator for his team’s first game in 2025 due to a sprained left foot that will prevent him from playing Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings.

Embiid was initially listed as out due to rest before the team later changed his designation to the foot ailment.

Wednesday’s game is the first of a road back-to-back that includes Thursday’s contest against the Golden State Warriors. Philadelphia (13-17) has won four consecutive games, the last three coming on the road.

A season-high 37 PTS for @JoelEmbiid tonight in Portland 👏

8-2 record in their last 10 games, are the @sixers back on track? 👀 pic.twitter.com/vOlZ9KT9E3

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 31, 2024

Embiid scored a season-high 37 points in Monday’s 125-103 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers. He is averaging 32 points over the past three games.

Embiid has played in just 11 of Philadelphia’s 30 games this season due to injuries, illness and a three-game suspension. He is averaging 23.7 points and 7.0 rebounds.

The seven-time All-Star was NBA MVP for the 2022-23 season but played in just 39 games last season, primarily due to a knee injury.

Andre Drummond (sprained left toe), Eric Gordon (oral surgery) and Kyle Lowry (right hip soreness) are all listed as questionable for the 76ers.

–Field Level Media

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

Doug Christie isn’t new to Sacramento Kings drama.

When the stunning news broke last week that Sacramento was moving on from 2023 NBA Coach of the Year award winner Mike Brown, a shockwave was sent through the league. Was Brown really the problem behind a 13-18 start for the Kings?

Everyone has their own opinion on the matter, but the fact is that Sacramento has problems that are more deeply rooted than Brown. While the move was polarizing and shocking, a larger question emerged in the moments following the report that Brown was out:

Who will take his place as head coach for the final 51 games?

Christie, a beloved former Kings guard-turned-broadcaster-turned-coach, was called on by the organization to fill in for the rest of the 2024-25 regular season. The role is somewhat of an audition for Christie, who has had aspirations of becoming a head coach in the NBA since joining former Sacramento head coach Luke Walton’s staff in 2021.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will continue a three-game homestand on Wednesday night, ringing in the new year with a matchup against Paul George and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Last season, the King snapped a ten-game head-to-head losing streak against Philadelphia with a 108-96 win at Golden 1 Center on March 25th.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. 76ers drama right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.