PHILADELPHIA 76ers coach Nick Nurse said the New York Knicks’ three-pointer should have counted on Monday night.
The Knicks sealed a dramatic 104-101 victory in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead thanks to Donte DiVincenzo’s bucket with 13 seconds remaining.
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But Nurse says he called a timeout before the big play.
He revealed he tried to get the referee’s attention after guard Jalen Brunson brought his team up two points at 101-99 with 27 seconds remaining.
“The first thing is, obviously, they score, we’re going to try to do it quickly,” Nurse said.
“We didn’t resolve it quickly, I called timeout. The referee looked directly at me and ignored me.”
The Sixers still got the ball to Tyrese Maxey, but he lost the ball to Josh Hart, who found DiVincenzo to put the Nicks ahead.
“I went to Tyrese [Maxey]I called timeout again and then the chaos started,” Nurse added.
“I think I have to run to the ground or do something to get his attention.
“I needed time to move forward. It would have been good. But I couldn’t.”
NBA fans disagreed with Nurse’s version of events.
“Stop lying, Nick… you faked the timeout when it wasn’t in, then you and Embiid tried to call timeout when the ball was already loose. Take the L”, commented one on X.
Another added: “I just saw the videotape. The first time he did it halfway.
“The second time, he called timeout when the Knicks had possession.”
“Nick the nurse is a sore loser haha - just like all those Philly fans talking trash,” said a third.
OG Anunoby’s two free throws sealed the victory at Madison Square Garden before Game 3 in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Maxey had 35 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Joel Embiid had 34 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia held a five-point lead with 30 seconds remaining.
“Sometimes the ball bounces your way.”
Tom Thibodeau
But the Knicks staged a late comeback, with Brunson finishing with 24 points, Hart adding 21 and DiVincenzo scoring 19.
“They miss a few, and the next thing you know, the game changes,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
“And that’s how you can change quickly.
“And you need good luck. Sometimes the ball bounces towards you.
“We had a couple that jumped over the edge and went in. So that’s part of it too.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
