Brown out for Sixers Cup opener

Jaylen Brown will sit out Friday night's game against the New York Knicks due to left knee tendinopathy. The Philadelphia Sixers host the Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena for a matchup that serves as both a regular-season contest and the opening game of Group Play in the fourth annual NBA Cup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

Jose Alvarado is also out with a left ankle sprain. Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as probable to play despite a left wrist sprain. The Sixers enter the contest with a 4-1 record. The Knicks hold a 2-3 record but ride a two-game winning streak into the title defense.

These teams met just 10 days ago. Philadelphia won that season opener 106-100 behind 28 points from Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers have since beaten Indiana on Wednesday after overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. New York defeated Chicago on Wednesday, with Jalen Brunson scoring 38 points and recording seven assists.

The Knicks are defending champions in both the NBA Cup and the regular season. They won last season's Cup before completing their run to the NBA championship. The Sixers aim to advance beyond the Cup's opening stage for the first time in franchise history.

Friday's game determines the initial standings in East Group B. The result will impact both teams' regular-season resumes and their standing in the tournament. Players who are active will face a familiar opponent after the recent meeting that ended the Knicks' banner celebration.