LATEST NEWS: Following a near-accident in the 76ers’ defeat to the Kings, Buddy Hield receives an immediate update.

In the Kings game, Buddy Hield suffered an ankle injury for the 76ers.

In addition to having to cope with many injuries to important players, the Philadelphia 76ers will now need to monitor Buddy Hield’s ankle in the coming days. In the closing minutes of the Sixers’ defeat to the Sacramento Kings, the sharpshooter sustained an injury that may add another name to their list of ailments.

With the 76ers’ defeat to the Kings coming to an end, Hield hobbled off the court and returned straight to the locker room. It was unclear which play caused his injury. After the game, head coach Nick Nurse informed reporters that Hield had an X-ray taken of his ankle, and the results were negative, according to Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.

Avoiding a serious injury is great news for Hield, whom the 76ers are counting on to be a key contributor for the rest of the season.

Buddy Hield hurts ankle in 76ers’ loss to Kings

Hield played 32 minutes against the Kings, recording seven points, five rebounds and three assists on 3-9 shooting (0-6 from deep). The 31-year-old guard has missed just one game this season between his time with Philly and the Indiana Pacers.

Due to left shoulder pain, Kelly Oubre Jr. was unable to play in the Kings game, and the Sixers were unable to put up a good enough effort to win on the second day of a back-to-back. Now that other players for Philly are expected to return to action shortly, he and Hield are also under injury surveillance.

Joel Embiid’s recovery from his meniscus injury is the most prominent injury issue that the 76ers are facing right now. The team hopes that the big man is able to return soon as he works his way back into practice. But with him, De’Anthony Melton (back; lumbar spine bone stress) and Robert Covington (left knee bone bruise) still working their way back, Philly cannot afford to lose any more key role players.

Since being acquired at the trade deadline, Hield’s role with the Sixers has fluctuated multiple times, but he has consistently been a member of the starting lineup. Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Ricky Council IV, two-way players, will be counted on to provide depth off the bench should his ankle injury require him to miss any time.

After four away games, the 76ers will now return home. They’ll play the Los Angeles Clippers again on Wednesday.