Kings-76ers gameday live: Fox cleared to return; Queta activated; Embiid dominating
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox participated in practice Monday, a league source told The Sacramento Bee, but his status remains uncertain for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
Fox missed the past two games due to right foot soreness after playing in pain for more than a month. He is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
The Kings (14-11) are entering the third game of a six-game road trip. This is also the first game of a tough back-to-back with a rested Toronto Raptors team awaiting Wednesday.
The 76ers (14-12) are coming off back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets. All-Star center and 2022 MVP finalist Joel Embiid had 53 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Charlotte on Sunday.
Fox has had five days off since his last appearance in a 126-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Barring a setback, he will likely go through the team’s morning shootaround and possibly pregame warmups before his status is determined.
The Kings will be missing backup center Alex Len, who will miss his second game with a non-COVID-19 illness. Sacramento has called up two-way center Neemias Queta from G League Stockton to provide frontcourt depth. A league source told The Bee Queta was in Philadelphia on Monday and would be active for Tuesday’s game.
The Kings might need the 7-foot, 248-pound Queta to help them contend with Embiid, another 7-footer who weighs in at 280. Embiid is averaging a career-high 33.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and a career-best 4.8 assists this season.
Embiid has averaged 41.3 points in four December games. Over the past 10 games, he averaged 35.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 56.1% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range. That stretch included a historic performance against the Utah Jazz in which he finished with 59 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocked shots.
Kings coach Mike Brown was thrilled with the team’s performance in a road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, but he didn’t feel his club matched the opponents’ force and physicality in losses to the Bucks and New York Knicks. That could be a problem against Embiid.
Morning update
Fox joined his teammates for Tuesday’s morning shootaround in Philadelphia. The only holdout was Len, who is still under the weather. There was no official word on Fox’s status against the 76ers. That determination will be made later in the day.
Melton questionable
76ers guard De’Anthony Melton is now listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Kings due to back tightness. Melton has started 17 games this season. He is averaging a career-high 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 39.4% on 5.9 3-point attempts per game.
Fox returns
A league source tells The Sacramento Bee Fox will return for Tuesday’s game against the 76ers after missing two games with a foot injury.
Ruled out
The 76ers have ruled out Melton and small forward Danuel House. Melton was added to the injury report as questionable Tuesday. House was initially listed as probable.
Kings at 76ers
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: 76ers -5.5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — De’Aaron Fox (foot). OUT — Alex Len (non-COVID-19 illness); Chima Moneke (G League).
Knicks: PROBABLE — Danuel House Jr. (foot). OUT — Julian Champagnie (G League); Saben Lee (G League); Tyrese Maxey (foot).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 13 at Philadelphia 76ers
Dec. 14 at Toronto Raptors
Dec. 16 at Detroit Pistons
Dec. 19 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Dec. 21 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
