Nerlens Noel did not play Wednesday against the Kings. He was a late scratch from the game because of right knee patellar tendinitis, the opposite knee in which he underwent surgery for a torn ACL during his 2012-13 freshman season at Kentucky.
Jerami Grant started in his place, alongside Ish Smith, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor. It marked the Sixers' 27th starting lineup of the season.
Noel is averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He ranks eighth in the NBA in field goal percentage (53.3 percent).
"He's playing with a high motor," Brown said before the game. "I see a committed rebounder, I see a committed running-the-floor guy. I think that his rolling is elite. I just feel like he's that further along than where we all had him. I think lately he's stepping up to the line and looking good. I think him navigating even passing opportunities at the top of the key has stood out to me."
Taking his place, Grant came in averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.