NBA Injury News: Nerlens Noel Likely to Miss Rising Stars Challenge

Scratched from the lineup moments before last night's game against the Sacramento Kings, Nerlens Noel's time on the shelf may last a little longer, with the second-year big likely to miss this Friday's NBA Rising Stars Challenge.

Speaking to reporters following a tough loss to the Kings, Brett Brown gave a vague injury update on his starting big man.

"I don't know enough to talk now about [the injury]," said Brown. "I don't think he will. He will go up and represent the club, but I don't believe he will."

There are few times in this stage of the rebuild that Sixers fans get to point to one of their guys as any type of "star", so it's a bummer Noel likely can't go Friday. The format isn't exactly suited for Noel's skill set -- one-on-one battles and bad shots from the perimeter tend to dominate the festivities -- but it's fun to measure the Sixers young building blocks against their peers.

Thankfully, Jahlil Okafor's presence ensures the Sixers aren't totally shut out of the event. Both players suiting up would have been nice, but I doubt anyone will be upset as long as Okafor posterizes Kristaps Porzingis once or twice.