Philadelphia 76ers Host Sacramento Kings Amid Injury Woes And Streaks

On a chilly Thursday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, the Sacramento Kings arrived with heavy baggage—six straight losses, a battered roster, and the daunting task of facing the playoff-hungry Philadelphia 76ers. The January 29, 2026, matchup was more than just another regular season NBA game; it was a crossroads for two franchises heading in sharply different directions.

The Kings, now 12-36 and languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, have been searching for answers all season. Their woes have only deepened on the road, where they’ve managed a dismal 3-20 record and haven’t tasted victory away from home since their December 6 triumph over the Miami Heat. As they prepared for their fourth contest in a six-game road trip, the odds were stacked high against them—literally and figuratively. Oddsmakers had Sacramento as an 11.5-point underdog, a reflection of both recent form and roster uncertainty.

Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Kings. Keegan Murray, their promising forward, remained sidelined with an ankle injury. Russell Westbrook—who has struggled with both efficiency and turnovers lately—was ruled out due to right foot soreness. Malik Monk, the team’s sharpshooter, was questionable after missing the previous game with an ankle issue. The only glimmer of good news was the return of Zach LaVine, Sacramento’s leading scorer at 19.5 points per game, who had missed the last two contests with lower back soreness. LaVine’s return offered a much-needed boost, especially after the Kings managed just 87 points in a loss to the Knicks two nights earlier.

Yet, even with LaVine’s shooting prowess (he’s hitting nearly 39% from deep this season and a scorching 43.3% in January), Sacramento’s offense has sputtered. They rank in the NBA’s bottom three in both offensive and defensive efficiency, score the third-fewest points per game, and are dead last in three-pointers made. The absence of Westbrook and the potential absence of Monk left Dennis Schroder likely to start at point guard, a patchwork solution for a team desperate for stability.

On the other side of the court, the 76ers entered the night with a 25-21 record and the weight of expectation. Philadelphia had dropped six of their last ten games, but their 139-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the week signaled a possible turning point. The Sixers, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, were clinging to the final automatic playoff berth and looking for their first back-to-back wins in nearly three weeks.

Philadelphia’s injury report was, for once, relatively optimistic. Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (knee) were both listed as probable, while Quentin Grimes (ankle) was questionable. Embiid, the reigning MVP, has battled knee issues but remains a force—averaging 28.3 points per game on 54% shooting in January. He’s topped 27.5 points in five straight outings, including a 38-point explosion against the Knicks last weekend. Paul George, meanwhile, reminded everyone of his star quality with a 32-point, five-rebound, five-assist performance against Milwaukee.

But it’s Tyrese Maxey who has truly captured the imagination of Sixers fans. The dynamic guard is averaging 29.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, forming a lethal inside-out duo with Embiid. Rookie V.J. Edgecombe, the third overall pick, has been a revelation with his versatility and poise, adding another dimension to Philadelphia’s attack.

Defensively, the Sixers have had their own struggles, particularly with second-chance points since mid-January. Still, they rank sixth in steals and third in blocks—a testament to their disruptive potential when locked in. The Kings, by contrast, have been hemorrhaging points, surrendering 120.8 per game (fourth-worst in the league) and getting pounded in the paint, a worrying sign with Embiid looming.

“Say what you want about some of Embiid’s limitations after all his knee injuries, the man is still putting up huge numbers, raising hopes about the 76ers’ postseason chances,” one analyst noted ahead of the game. “In this matchup, the Kings have no shot at slowing him down.”

Recent history has favored Philadelphia in this inter-conference rivalry. The Sixers have won eight of their last ten meetings with Sacramento and have covered the spread in seven of those contests. The Kings, meanwhile, are just 1-5 against the spread during their current losing streak and have been outclassed by even mid-tier teams, particularly on the road.

DeMar DeRozan, a potential trade candidate for Sacramento as the deadline looms, remains one of the few bright spots. He poured in 34 points against the Knicks and is projected to be a focal point again, especially with so many backcourt absences. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulated the game 10,000 times, pegged DeRozan for 19.2 points and Maxey for 26.7, while predicting the Sixers would cover the spread nearly 70% of the time.

With the Kings’ roster in flux and their confidence shaken, the Sixers were expected to exploit every mismatch. Embiid’s scoring binge, Maxey’s relentless drives, and George’s veteran savvy all pointed to a tough night for Sacramento. As one preview put it, “Expect Maxey and the Sixers to carve up Sacramento’s porous defense and stretch their lead beyond 12 points by the final whistle.”

For fans tuning in on NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports California, or streaming via Fubo, the stakes were clear: Philadelphia was looking to build momentum for a playoff push, while Sacramento was simply searching for a spark to halt their freefall. With trade rumors swirling around DeRozan and the team’s core under scrutiny, the Kings’ front office faces tough decisions ahead of the deadline.

As tipoff approached, the energy in the arena was palpable. Could the Kings defy the odds and snap their losing streak, or would the Sixers’ stars shine in front of a raucous home crowd? With both teams at a crossroads, Thursday’s game promised to offer plenty of drama—and perhaps a glimpse into what lies ahead for each franchise.

With the action underway and both squads battling for much-needed momentum, all eyes remained fixed on Philadelphia, where the story of two NBA seasons continued to unfold in real time.