![]() ![]() "This team could be playing tonight," Nurse said.īut they're not, of course. Yet for all that talent, the Sixers are home watching the NBA Finals. Nurse will inherit a team in which Embiid blossomed into an MVP, Tyrese Maxey developed into a rising star and James Harden flashed his old All-Star form in the playoffs. He spent five years as an assistant to former Raptors coach Dwane Casey before taking over the top job. 582 winning percentage ranks as the best of any coach in Raptors history. Nurse went 227-163 in his five seasons as coach in Toronto, where his. "We are confident his leadership and expertise will help us unlock the full potential of our talented roster and bring an exciting new era of championship basketball to Philadelphia." "His championship pedigree and diversity of experience mixed with his uniquely creative approach made him our top priority," team president Daryl Morey said. The length of his contract was not immediately revealed. "Now, I look forward to coaching the Sixers and doing my part to deliver for this tremendous fan base." "It's been a fun challenge coaching against this group over the last five years," Nurse said. The 76ers held a 3-2 semi-finals series lead against Boston before dropping Game 6 at home and getting crushed in Game 7 on the road. They would need to get to sixth place over the final six games to avoid the play-in tournament.Nurse replaced Doc Rivers, who was fired after leading the 76ers to their second straight 50-win season behind Embiid, this season's league MVP, but again failed to lead them to the Eastern Conference finals. But they fell to 38-39 and are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors play hard under Nurse and whittled the first-half deficit to three in the fourth quarter. Now, Nurse admits he'll need time in the offseason to “ reflect ” on his coaching future, even if it's not in Toronto. Under Nurse, the Raptors won the NBA championship that season. Philadelphia's best shot at a deep postseason run since Embiid was drafted in 2014 came in 2019 when they lost the East semis in seven games to the Raptors. It just didn't seem that solidified last year. They just kind of have a very similar output. “I think they know what really each one of them is going to do. “They're playing more solid,” coach Nick Nurse said. That is, if Embiid and Harden are healthy. They've lost in the second round each of the last two seasons but remain contenders to at least win the Eastern Conference. The 76ers reached the NBA Finals that season and improbably haven't gone past the second round since. The Sixers hit the 50-win mark this season in the fewest amount of games since 2001. Rivers said Harden's injury has “been managed but it’s always a concern.” The 33-year-old Harden said the pain has spiked at times during games. Harden has been dealing with a sore left Achilles for the last few months. ![]() “He didn't look like he had any problems and let's just hope that continues.” “He looked normal tonight,” coach Doc Rivers said. He gingerly got up and missed a free throw. The NBA scoring leader stepped on Anunoby’s foot in the first half and was briefly on his back. ![]() With Embiid, though, there’s always a small scare for the 76ers. He said the injury is “good enough” and is trying to survive the remaining games without incident. Embiid and Harden showed no ill effects of injuries that hampered them of late.Įmbiid is playing through a nagging right calf injury that cost him a game - and maybe some MVP votes - Monday at Denver. Harden and Embiid combined to make 12 of 16 shots and Harden made all three 3-pointers in the first half. Scottie Barnes scored 29 points and OG Anunoby had 19. The Raptors didn't have another run in them. ![]()
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