As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare to visit the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, both teams are hoping that the start of the new year is simply a change of calendar, given their strong finishes to 2024.
This game features two coaches with notable connections to the Toronto Raptors: 76ers’ head coach Nick Nurse, who spent a decade with the Raptors (including five years as head coach), and Kings interim coach Doug Christie, who played for Toronto during their 2000 playoff run.
In his second season leading the 76ers, Nurse has his team playing at a season-best level. Philadelphia has won 10 of their last 13 games after a rough 3-14 start. They are currently riding a four-game winning streak, including three consecutive road victories and two to begin a four-game Western road trip.
Tyrese Maxey (30.0 points per game) and Joel Embiid (26.3 points per game) have been pivotal during this streak. Paul George has also been a steady contributor, averaging 31.3 minutes per game. However, the 76ers will be without Embiid for Wednesday’s game due to a sprained left foot.
According to George, one of the key factors in the team’s recent success has been the play of Caleb Martin. Martin’s return to health has aligned with the team’s improved performance. During the winning streak, Martin has averaged 11.8 points, shooting 56.7% overall and 66.7% from beyond the arc. He has also contributed 15 rebounds, four steals, and four blocks in the last four games. Martin posted a team-best plus-27 plus/minus in the 76ers’ 125-103 win at Portland on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Kings celebrated a significant victory, snapping a six-game losing streak with a 110-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks. This victory marked interim coach Doug Christie’s first home win. Christie stepped in after the Kings fired Mike Brown following a close loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Domantas Sabonis noted that hearing the game plan from a different voice and with different emotion made a difference against the Mavericks. Under Brown, the Kings had previously ended a 10-game losing streak against the 76ers last March.
In the 76ers’ last visit to Sacramento, Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 108-96 Kings victory, a game that Embiid missed.
For Wednesday’s matchup, the Kings have listed starting forward Keegan Murray (11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds per game) as doubtful due to left ankle soreness.
The 76ers will aim to maintain their momentum and continue their winning streak, while the Kings will look to build on their recent victory and find consistency under Christie’s leadership. This game promises to be a compelling contest between two teams looking to carry their positive performances into the new year.
