PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Allen Iverson will not appear in Tuesday night's rematch with the Detroit Pistons and his former coach, Larry Brown, because of a badly swollen right knee.
The Philadelphia Inquirer said the setback is especially stunning for the 76ers since it involves their top player.
"Allen's going to stay at home and get some rest," Coach Randy Ayers told reporters. "He just needs rest. So hopefully, with the extra days, he'll be all right toward the end of the week."
Ayers said an MRI, which Iverson underwent while his teammates practiced, showed no structural damage. Team physician Jack McPhilemy called the injury a right knee hematoma.
Iverson leads the NBA in scoring with 29.4 points per game, as well as in minutes played and steals. He initially suffered a bruised right knee Nov. 14 against San Antonio. He sat out one game, at Toronto Nov. 19, a game the Sixers won.
The Inquirer said the pain never completely subsided, and Iverson banged the knee again in a fall during Friday night's win in Miami.
