Kings vs. 76ers gameday: Keegan Murray, Joel Embiid injury updates and 3 things to watch

The Kings could be missing a key player when they face the Philadelphia 76ers in a New Year’s Day game Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, but the 76ers have even bigger injury concerns.

Former MVP center Joel Embiid has been ruled out due to a left foot sprain. Jared McCain, a Sacramento native and early Rookie of the Year candidate, is out after undergoing surgery on his left knee. Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Eric Gordon (mouth surgery) and Kyle Lowry (right hip soreness) are all questionable.

The Kings are listing Keegan Murray as doubtful due to left ankle soreness. Jae Crowder is questionable with lower back soreness.

The point guard matchup between De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Maxey will be a big focal point. Fox is ninth in the NBA in scoring at 26.5 points per game. Maxey is 11th at 25.9 points per game.

The Kings (14-19) are 12th in the Western Conference playoff race, 2 ½ games behind the Golden State Warriors for the final play-in spot. They beat the Dallas Mavericks on Monday to end a six-game losing streak, their first win since coach Mike Brown was fired last week.

The 76ers (13-17) are tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference. They have won four in a row and 10 of 13 after going 3-14 to start the season.

Here are three things to watch in Wednesday’s game.

Absence of Embiid

The absence of Embiid could be a huge factor in this game. The 76ers are 6-5 with him in the lineup this season. They are 7-12 in the games he has missed.

Embiid always makes his presence felt when he’s on the floor, but his numbers are down dramatically this season. He is averaging 23.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting a career-low 45.1% from the field and 30.2% from 3-point range. Just last season, he averaged 34.7 points on 52.9% shooting while hitting a career-high 38.8% from beyond the arc.

Other injuries

The 76ers also miss McCain, who was averaging 15.3 points before suffering a meniscus injury. The rookie guard from Duke was shooting 46% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range.

Drummond is Philadelphia’s leading rebounder and starting center when Embiid is out. He averages 6.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 19.3 minutes per game.

Martin (6.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Gordon (5.0 ppg) and Lowry (4.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.9 apg) are playing more modest roles, mostly as reserves. Lowry started early in the season and Gordon was starting in place of McCain before missing the past four games.

Sacramento’s rotation

Interim coach Doug Christie has essentially gone to an eight-man rotation in two games since Brown was fired on Friday.

Christie has stayed with the starting lineup of Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Murray and Domantas Sabonis. Christie is bringing Trey Lyles, Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis off the bench with spot minutes for Alex Len.

Lyles will probably start if Murray is out. He had 14 points in Monday’s 110-100 victory over the Mavericks, going 5 of 9 from the field and 3 of 6 from 3-point range.

76ers at Kings

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Golden 1 Center

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Odds: Kings -6.5

Over/under: 224.5

Injury report

76ers: QUESTIONABLE — Andre Drummond (toe); Eric Gordon (mouth); Kyle Lowry (hip). OUT — Joel Embiid (rest); KJ Martin (foot); Jared McCain (knee).

Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Jae Crowder (back). DOUBTFUL — Keegan Murray (ankle). OUT — Devin Carter (return to competition reconditioning); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).

Upcoming schedule

Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Jan. 3 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Jan. 5 at Golden State Warriors

Jan. 6 vs. Miami Heat

Jan. 10 at Boston Celtics