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Sixers' Joel Embiid out vs. Kings, won't travel to Dallas, San Antonio

Sixers center Joel Embiid will not play Monday night against the Sacramento Kings because of a sore right knee.

The 7-foot-2, 270-pounder also will not travel with the team for Wednesday's game at the Dallas Mavericks and Thursday's matchup at the San Antonio Spurs.  His playing status has not been determined for the remaining games of the road trip, at the Miami Heat (Saturday) and Detroit Pistons (Feb. 6).

"There isn't anything odd going on," coach Brett Brown said. "We feel we need to get Joel where he needs to be by staying behind."

Brown said Embiid's knee was just fine.

Jahlil Okafor will start in his place against the Kings.

Embiid suffered a left-knee bruise against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 20. He was already scheduled to miss the next night's game because he doesn't play on consecutive nights.  Then the rookie was ruled out the following two games because of the injury.

Embiid returned Friday night and scored 32 points in a loss to the Houston Rockets. Afterward, he said he came back one week ahead of schedule. The 22-year-old also said that he experienced a little soreness.

Brown was asked Sunday if Embiid came back too soon.

"No. I don't think so," Brown said before that night's game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.  "I think you end up going with the doctors' advice. I don't feel that way."

The coach went on to say that the Sixers have "some highly educated people that completely tilt on responsible decisions."

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.