The Philadelphia 76ers did not need LeBron James to stay perfect. Joel Embiid recorded a triple-double and the Sixers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 127-116 in Philadelphia on Saturday night to improve to 3-0.

Embiid finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He also made 12 of his 14 free throws. Jaylen Brown celebrated his 30th birthday with 27 points while Tyrese Maxey scored 26 and VJ Edgecombe added 17.

James sat out with what the team called lower back pain management. It was the first game of a back-to-back for Philadelphia. He was expected to play Sunday night at home against the Detroit Pistons.

The pass that sealed it

Milwaukee made a late push but Embiid had the answer. He found Brown for a 3-pointer that made it 120-114 and gave the big man his 10th assist of the night. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope then hit a 3 off a turnover to push the lead to nine and bring the crowd to its feet.

Maxey had his own big moments. He hit a 46-foot shot to end the first quarter and a fadeaway jumper at the end of the third that put Philadelphia up 10. James was the first player off the bench to celebrate with him.

LeBron's back

The 41-year-old James had averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in his first two games with the Sixers. Coach Nick Nurse said before tipoff that James had not complained of any pain or discomfort in his back.

Dean Wade started in his place and scored seven points in his season debut after missing two games with an ankle injury. Backup big man Jabari Walker left in the third quarter with a left knee injury that will be evaluated. First-round pick Labaron Philon Jr. made his NBA debut.

Bucks still winless

Milwaukee fell to 0-3. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the Bucks with 21 points while Kyle Kuzma had 14 points and 12 rebounds.