The Philadelphia 76ers, despite enduring a tough start to their season, are now 8-2 in their last 10 games. Their next challenge lies in two back-to-back games against the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, respectively. But you may be wondering, will their star man, Joel Embiid, be on their side versus the ‘Beam Team’?

It has been confirmed that 2022 MVP Joel Embiid will not play in the first game against the Kings. He is OUT with a left foot sprain. The reason earlier was reported simply as ‘REST’ however, it has since been updated to the aforementioned sprain. Embiid had only recently come back to the squad on Dec 20th, after suffering an inadvertent blow that caused a sinus fracture. 

In his return game against the Hornets, Embiid dropped 34 points while donning a protective face mask. And if you put the whole ejection fiasco aside, Embiid had been in top form since his return. With a combined 69 points in his last two games, Joel Embiid will be a big miss for the 76ers as they battle the Kings.

Joel Embiid is not the only notable absentee from the Philadelphia squad. Other players in the injury report who are out of the Philadelphia squad include Jared McCain and KJ Martin. McCain, who tore his left lateral meniscus, is out indefinitely, while Martin has a stress reaction on his left foot and is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks. 

Additionally, the trio of Andre Drummond, Kyle Lowry, and Eric Gordon remain questionable ahead of the game against the Sacramento Kings. Drummond has a sprained left toe, while Lowry struggles with a sore hip. Gordon, on the other hand, has not played since undergoing oral surgery. The Kings’ Jae Crowder remains questionable, nursing a sore lower back. Whereas Keegan Murray’s presence is designated as doubtful due to a sore left ankle.

Missing Embiid is not the end of the 76ers woes ahead of their upcoming game. Let’s dive deeper into the injury report and depth chart for Philly and see what’s what.

Can the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Sacramento Kings while missing Joel Embiid? 

Here’s the way the Philadelphia 76ers may lineup against the Sacramento Kings given the injuries:

Injuries woes aside, the head-to-head record between the Kings and 76ers is quite lopsided. Philadelphia has won 9 out of their last 10 games against the Kings and has the edge all-time when it comes to this fixture. Now you may think that means Philly has this one in the bag even without Embiid, but not so fast!

Sacramento actually won their most recent game against the Sixers. And after finally snapping their 6-game losing streak, they will be hungrier than ever against the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. Without their star big man, Joel Embiid, and a squad ravaged by injuries, can the 76ers manage to stave off the Kings’ conquest and improve upon their record against them?

Let us know what you think will happen on Wednesday!