Nick Nurse stepped away from the Philadelphia 76ers after a loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs to attend his brother Steve’s funeral services. Steve Nurse died unexpectedly at the age of 62.
The funeral took place in Ankeny, Iowa, as the team prepared for their next playoff game. Coach Nurse has been with the 76ers for three seasons, having taken over in the 2023-24 season after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title in 2019.
The loss to the Knicks was a tough one, ending with a score of 137-98, putting Philadelphia at a 1-0 deficit in their playoff series. On the day of Steve’s funeral, the team held a film session but opted not to practice.
Mike Brown, head coach of the Sacramento Kings, expressed his condolences: “I’d like to pass my condolences along to Nick Nurse and his family, his brother’s family and all their friends.” Such sentiments resonate deeply within the league, where personal losses often intersect with professional responsibilities.
Nurse is expected to return for Game 2 against the Knicks at 7 PM on May 7. Observers are eager to see how this personal challenge will affect him and his team’s performance as they navigate these critical playoff games.
