Nick Nurse’s strategic moves on the basketball court have become a hot topic of discussion. Recently, it was revealed that he called a timeout not once, but twice before the Knicks’ game-winner. This surprising revelation has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
The unexpected decision to call multiple timeouts in such a crucial moment has sparked debates about coaching tactics and game management. With Nurse at the helm, every game becomes a rollercoaster ride of unpredictable twists and turns.
As Nurse explained, after Knicks guard Jalen Brunson cut the Sixers’ lead to 101-99 with a 3-pointer at the 27-second mark, the Sixers Coach called for a timeout.
‘The first thing is, obviously they score, we take a look at getting it in quick,’ Nurse said. ‘We don’t get it in quick, I call timeout. Referee looked right at me, ignored me.’
Even without the timeout, the Sixers still managed to inbound the ball to Tyrese Maxey, but he was quickly swarmed by Brunson and his Knicks teammate Josh Hart. Maxey would lose the ball as he crashed to the hardwood, and without a whistle for traveling or a foul, Hart was able to scoop it up and pass it to DiVincenzo.
The Knicks guard missed his initial 3-pointer, but teammate Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed the rebound and passed it to OG Anunoby, who got it back to DiVincenzo for the go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining.
‘Went in to Tyrese [Maxey], I called timeout again, then the melee started,’ Nurse recalled. ‘I guess I got to run out on the floor or do something to get his attention. I needed a timeout there to advance it. Would have been good. But couldn’t get it.’
Anunoby ultimately hit two free throws to seal the victory for New York and send the series back to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday.
The Knicks trailed by five points within the final 30 seconds, on the verge of losing home-court advantage before the stunning rally on an otherwise miserable night.
Brunson finished with 24 points despite going 8 for 29 from the field. Josh Hart had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and DiVincenzo scored 19 points.
Maxey had 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a brilliant performance after he was ill earlier in the day and missed their morning shootaround. Embiid had 34 points and 10 rebounds.
The 76ers appeared on the verge of going home happy after Maxey had 15 points in the fourth quarter. His 3-pointer with 1:09 to play gave the 76ers a 100-96 lead and when Kyle Lowry made a free throw with 47 seconds to go, the crowd at Madison Square Garden was as quiet as it had been all night.
A few minutes later the fans were chanting DiVincenzo’s name deliriously after he had given the Knicks their first 2-0 lead in a playoff series since the first round against Boston in 2013.
The events surrounding Nick Nurse’s timeout dilemma and the Knicks’ game-winning shot have gotten fans asking questions. From missed timeouts to controversial decisions, chaos reigned supreme on the court. The implications of these moments are vast, leaving fans and analysts alike buzzing with opinions and theories about what could have been.
Flip to the next page to watch Nick Nurse speak and fans’ reactions…
