PHILADELPHIA – Joel Embiid was sidelined for the Philadelphia 76ers’ game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night because of a left ankle sprain.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse said Monday that while the All-Star center’s foot injury is bothersome, the team isn’t a long-term concern.

“It’s day by day,” the nurse said. “He got injured (a few) games ago and they are trying to get him back there. … It’s not good enough to play today, but it’s nothing big.”

Embiid is having an injury-plagued season. Monday’s game was the 21st game he has missed this season. The Sixers are 7-13 without Embiid in the lineup.

A two-time NBA scoring champion, Embiid is averaging 24.4 points and 7.9 rebounds this season – below his career averages. He has missed all but 13 games because of left knee soreness, a sinus fracture and a three-game suspension for an altercation with a reporter in the locker room.

The Sixers are 14-19, 10½ games behind Atlantic Division leader Boston (26-10) and in 11th place out of 15 Eastern Conference teams. Philadelphia is coming off a 123-94 win over Brooklyn on Saturday and is 7-3 in its last 10 games.

The Sixers were also without Kyle Lowry (right hip pain) against the Suns. He joined Embiid, Jared McCain (torn meniscus) and KJ Martin (left foot stress reaction) on the sideline.