Kings vs. 76ers: Joel Embiid, Sasha Vezenkov injury updates; playoff race; scouting report

Sasha Vezenkov could suit up for the first time in six weeks when the Kings open a five-game homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, but Joel Embiid is still out due to injury.

The Kings are listing Vezenkov as questionable for the fourth game in a row as he nears a return from a grade-3 right ankle sprain. Kevin Huerter (left shoulder dislocation) and Trey Lyles (left knee sprain) are still out.

The Kings (41-29) are tied with the Dallas Mavericks for seventh in the Western Conference playoff race, a half-game behind the Phoenix Suns for the No. 6 seed. They beat the Orlando Magic 109-107 on Saturday after suffering a disappointing loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday.

The 76ers (39-32) have fallen into a tie for seventh in the Eastern Conference with the Miami Heat. They will be on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 121-107 on Sunday despite the absence of several players.

Philadelphia has lost 19 of 29 dating back to Jan. 25 after going 29-13 to start the season. Embiid has been out since Jan. 30 after undergoing a procedure to repair his left meniscus.

The 76ers won’t submit an injury report until Monday afternoon because they played Sunday, but they had several players out against the Clippers. In addition to Embiid, Robert Covington (knee), Kai Jones (hamstring), Kyle Lowry (rest) and De’Anthony Melton (back) were out.

This will be the second and final meeting between the Kings and 76ers this season. The 76ers handed the Kings a 112-93 loss on Jan. 12 in Philadelphia despite the absence of Embiid. Tobias Harris scored 37 points in that game. Tyrese Maxey was held to 21 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

Scouting Sacramento

Kings coach Mike Brown has emphasized the need for solid, consistent defense, toughness and physicality since the start of training camp. His team seems to have taken that step in recent weeks.

The Kings are No. 3 in the NBA in defensive rating over the past 10 games (107.0). They have held three of their last seven opponents under 100 points. Six of their last seven opponents have scored less than 110.

Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals. He is shooting 46.8% from the field, 36.3% from 3-point range and 72.5% at the free-throw line.

Center Domantas Sabonis is on the verge of an NBA record after recording 53 consecutive double-doubles to tie Kevin Love for the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. Sabonis is averaging 20.0 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (66) and triple-doubles (24).

Malik Monk is closing in on what could be his first Sixth Man of the Year award. He averages 15.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 35.7% from 3-point range on 6.0 attempts per game.

Keegan Murray is putting up 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 46.1% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc. Harrison Barnes is scoring 12.3 points per game on 48.5% shooting from the field and 39.8% shooting from long distance.

Scouting Philadelphia

The 76ers haven’t been the same without Embiid, the reigning MVP, but they still managed to beat the Clippers on Sunday with a depleted roster.

Embiid is averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks. He has appeared in just 34 games and will not meet the 65-game criteria for All-NBA or MVP honors.

Maxey averages 25.8 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 37.2% from 3-point range. Harris is averaging 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is putting up 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Former Kings guard Buddy Hield has averaged 13.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists since being acquired in a trade with the Indiana Pacers.

Update

The 76ers are listing Oubre as questionable for Monday’s game against the Kings due to left shoulder soreness. Covington (knee), Embiid (meniscus), Melton (back) and Terquavion Smith (G League) are out.

Ruled out

Vezenkov has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the 76ers.

76ers at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -9.5

Over/under: 221.5

Injury report

76ers: QUESTIONABLE — Kelly Oubre Jr. (shoulder). OUT — Robert Covington (knee); Joel Embiid (meniscus); De’Anthony Melton (back); Terquavion Smith (G League).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Sasha Vezenkov (ankle). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Mason Jones (G League); Trey Lyles (knee).

Upcoming schedule

March 25 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

March 26 vs. Dallas Mavericks

March 29 vs. Dallas Mavericks

March 31 vs. Utah Jazz

April 2 vs. Los Angeles Clippers