How did Jaylen Brown step up without LeBron James?(Getty Images)
Jaylen Brown turned 30 on October 24, 2026, and gave the Philadelphia 76ers another reason to celebrate. With LeBron James sitting out their game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Brown took on a bigger scoring role and finished with 27 points. Philadelphia won 127-116 to improve to 3-0 in the 2026-27 NBA season. Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points and added four assists, while VJ Edgecombe finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The 41-year-old had averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his first two games with Philadelphia.
Because of lower back pain management, according to the Associated Press, james sat out. The team had won both contests, beating the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The 76ers did not need Brown to carry the entire offense. Their contributions helped Philadelphia maintain its offensive pressure throughout the game. His absence gave Brown more opportunities to create his own shots. Brown’s ability to score without needing a pass to set him up offered Philadelphia another option when Milwaukee tried to disrupt its offense.
Philadelphia had some uneven stretches, but its three-point shooting improved after the team shot below 30% from beyond the arc in each of its first two games. He finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, recording the 10th triple-double of his NBA career. The Bucks still made the Sixers work for the win. Brown helped keep the offense moving as the Sixers worked to close out the contest. Embiid controlled much of Philadelphia’s offense While Brown led the scoring story. Embiid scored in the post and created opportunities for teammates when Milwaukee sent extra defenders his way. His passing helped Brown and Maxey find room to attack, giving Philadelphia more ways to punish the Bucks’ defense.