Jaylen Brown Out for Sixers NBA Cup Matchup Against Knicks

Knee injury rules out Brown

The Philadelphia 76ers will be without veteran forward Jaylen Brown for Friday night's NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks. The team officially announced that Brown is sitting out because of a left patella injury.

The problem began earlier in the week. Brown experienced left knee soreness after the team secured a victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Philadelphia initially listed him as questionable on the injury report for Friday's matchup. As the game approached, the team downgraded his status to doubtful before finally ruling him out of the lineup.

Lineup changes and Nurse reaction

With Brown sidelined, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse confirmed that forward Dean Wade will move into the starting lineup against the Knicks.

Nurse offered little detail when asked if the knee injury was a cause for deeper concern moving forward. He kept his response short when addressing the media before the game.

"Well, we want him out there, right? So I just know he can't play tonight," Nurse said. "He's out tonight, that's what I know."

Impact on the court

Missing Brown is a clear loss for Philadelphia on both ends of the floor. He has established himself as perhaps the team's best perimeter defender through the early part of the season.

Along with his defensive work, Brown has been a key contributor on offense. He is currently third on the team in scoring, averaging 20.6 points per game. His absence leaves a significant gap in the rotation as Philadelphia faces division rival New York in tournament play.

What it means for the next game

Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets (NBA, Sat, 31 Oct): Charlotte Hornets win 51%, Philadelphia 76ers win 49%; projected score Charlotte Hornets 113, Philadelphia 76ers 111. Our safest pick: Hornets +6.5.

Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (NBA, Tue, 03 Nov): Philadelphia 76ers win 59%, Chicago Bulls win 41%; projected score Philadelphia 76ers 122, Chicago Bulls 118. Our safest pick: 76ers +4.5.