PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid will not participate in the Philadelphia 76ers’ matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Monday evening due to a sprain in his left foot.

Head coach Nick Nurse provided an update earlier, stating that while the All-Star center’s foot issue has been troublesome, the team does not view it as a serious long-term concern.

“It’s a day-to-day situation,” Nurse mentioned. “He sustained the injury a couple of games ago and has been working to return to the court. Right now, it’s not at a level where he can play today, but fortunately, it not something major.”

This season has been challenging for Embiid, who has faced multiple injuries. The upcoming game against the Suns will be his 21st absence this season, and the Sixers have struggled in his absence, posting a 7-13 record.

A two-time scoring champion in the NBA, Embiid has been averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, which is lower than his career averages. He has missed significant time due to knee issues, a sinus fracture, and a three-game suspension tied to a confrontation with a reporter in the locker room.

Currently, the Sixers stand at a 14-19 record, which places them 10.5 games behind the Boston Celtics, who are leading the Atlantic Division with a record of 26-10. Philadelphia is currently positioned 11th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. The team is coming off a decisive 123-94 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, and they boast a 7-3 record over their last ten games.
Aside from Embiid, the 76ers will also have to contend without Kyle Lowry, who is sidelined due to soreness in his right hip, joining other injured players like Jared McCain, who is recovering from a torn meniscus, and K.J. Martin, who has a stress reaction in his left foot.