Monday’s matchup for the Philadelphia 76ers against the San Antonio Spurs carried high stakes. Nick Nurse’s team had an opportunity to improve its lead for the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed.
Instead of pulling away from the Toronto Raptors, the Sixers found themselves dropping back down into the NBA Play-In Tournament picture.
The Sixers lost to the Spurs 115-102.
The game generated a lot of attention, as it featured Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama. A little over 15 minutes into his shift, Wembanyama went down with a rib injury. He was ruled out for the second half.
The absence of the star center should’ve gifted the Sixers an opportunity to improve their record, as they needed Monday’s game much more than the Spurs. But Nick Nurse’s group didn’t rise to the occasion.
Sixers players acknowledge their shortcomings after the game. Nick Nurse caught heat from fans and a reporter due to his lack of adjustments throughout the night.
76ers Insider Gets Real On Nick Nurse’s Run This Season
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Houston Rockets in overtime at the Wells Fargo Center on November 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rockets defeated the 76ers 122-115 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
“I don’t know what Nick Nurse has done well this year, on basically any level,” PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck said.
“I don’t get like, when am I supposed to see the guy who’s going to make adjustments, the guy who’s going to, you know, throw out a gadget scheme here and there? That’s the guy who was promised to Sixers fans, Sixers media, the city of Philadelphia, the NBA at large. It’s been easy to fall back on this excuse of like, well, they’re never healthy, and like, I get that, right? But the Spurs lost a legitimate MVP contender at halftime of this game.
They still have a lot of good players, but they lost that guy and didn’t miss a beat. They scored the same way they tend to score with Victor Wembanyama on the floor. Other than the plays where they just throw it up to the seven-foot-four guy and he dunks it, right? They drive, they kick, they play together, they hunt the great shots, they don’t turn the ball over, they rebound like they have an identity. [The Spurs] have a cohesive team, which the Sixers do not have.”
“I don’t know what Nick Nurse has done well this year, on basically any level.” 👀
The Sixers gave up a triple-double to the sophomore guard, Stephon Castle. The rookie Dylan Harper shot 7-11 from the field to score 17 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
On San Antonio’s side, they managed to do a little bit of everything and got something out of everybody on the court. Meanwhile, the Sixers saw Joel Embiid doing a lot of carrying, while multiple players played 38-plus minutes, failing to score more than 16 points individually.
The players surely have to take their fair share of accountability for a lack of execution. But you’ll have a hard time finding somebody who would be willing to give Nick Nurse a pass.
“We’ve talked through the scheme, the subs, the like, every way that he has managed this team this year to death,” Neubeck finished. “And I like, I’m done waiting for him to do something actively productive for this team.”
Where The Sixers Stand After A Loss vs Spurs
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Sixers are seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 43-36 record.
All hope is not lost for them in terms of making the playoffs without the tournament. The fifth seed is still in play, as they trail the Atlanta Hawks by two games.
The sixth seed is more realistic, as the Toronto Raptors have a 0.5-game lead. However, the Sixers are in a three-way tie with the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic. One night can change the entire picture.
What’s Next For The Sixers?
On Thursday, April 9, the Sixers will take on the Houston Rockets.
They have three games left in the season. The final two games take place against the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nick Nurse is gaining a lot of pressure down the stretch, as he’s working on coaching his team into the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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