How did Jaylen Brown step up without LeBron James? Philadelphia 76ers extend unbeaten start against Milwaukee Bucks

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.Brown's performance came alongside a big night from Joel Embiid, who recorded a triple-double. The Sixers had enough scoring options to handle James' absence and keep their unbeaten start going. Jaylen Brown takes charge as Philadelphia beats MilwaukeeBrown gave Philadelphia the scoring boost it needed without James. He attacked defenders in the mid-range, used his strength to create room for jump shots and found ways to finish near the basket. He also connected from three-point range, making it difficult for Milwaukee to settle into a defensive rhythm.The 76ers did not need Brown to carry the entire offense. Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points and added four assists, while VJ Edgecombe finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Their contributions helped Philadelphia maintain its offensive pressure throughout the game.James sat out because of lower back pain management, according to the Associated Press. The 41-year-old had averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his first two games with Philadelphia. The team had won both contests, beating the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.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.The Bucks still made the Sixers work for the win. 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. Brown helped keep the offense moving as the Sixers worked to close out the contest.Joel Embiid's triple-double helps the Sixers reach 3-0While Brown led the scoring story, Embiid controlled much of Philadelphia's offense. He finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, recording the 10th triple-double of his NBA career.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.Edgecombe also made an early impact with three three-pointers. Foul trouble limited his playing time, but his rebounding added another dimension to his performance. He also helped create a key second-chance opportunity for Embiid late in the game.Dean Wade made his Sixers debut after missing the first two games with an ankle sprain. He hit a corner three-pointer on his first touch and finished with two three-pointers and three steals. His defensive work gave head coach Nick Nurse another useful option.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 12 points off the bench and made several important defensive plays. Jabari Walker also contributed on the glass before leaving the game with an injury.Philadelphia's 127-116 victory moved it to 3-0 after wins over the Knicks, Cavaliers and Bucks. The result also gave the team a positive start to a demanding weekend schedule.The Sixers will host the Detroit Pistons on October 25, the second game of their back-to-back. James had already indicated that he would play in only one of the two games that weekend. After beating Milwaukee without him, Philadelphia will look to carry its winning start into the next matchup.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.