While it seems like the entire basketball world knows that Tyrese Maxey is the best player on the Philadelphia 76ers, Nick Nurse clearly doesn't, and his decision to let his veteran lead in Game 3 vs. the New York Knicks may cost him his job next week.
On Friday night, the 76ers were in position to win. They lost 2-0 in their semifinal series against the Knicks and had to deal with an atmosphere at Xfinity Mobile Arena that seemed to have just as many, if not more, New York fans. Still, Nurse had the horses to pull out a win and escape a 3-0 hole, especially with Joel Embiid back on the field.
There's no doubt the 76ers are in a better position with Embiid on the floor. The seven-time All-Star commands respect on both sides of the court, even in this diminished version. However, the 2025-26 season confirmed an undeniable fact: Maxi is and should always be the No. 1 option on offense. Yet somehow the Sixers head coach hasn't gotten the memo.
Where was Tyrese Maxey Friday night?
In addition to being the fifth-highest per-game scorer in the NBA this season, Nurse had enough evidence to focus on Maxey in Game 3, especially against the Knicks. The two teams split their four games during the regular season, and Games 1 and 2 of this series were very different.
With Embiid being the focal point in the opener, he got blown out for 40 points. With Embiid sidelined and Maxey moving on, Game 2 was close the entire time, and over-utilization of its starters was likely the difference between victory and defeat on Wednesday. As good a defense as the Knicks have, Maxi gives them the same problems he does the rest of the NBA. He is a wonderful blend of lightning speed and cunning.
This is Tyrese Maxey's team now. Still, in the most important game of the 2025-26 season, Nurse wanted his 76ers to play like they did in 2022-23.
On Friday night, the two-time All-Star led not only the 76ers, but all players with 44 in Game 3. Yet, in the most bizarre statistic of the night, he took the fourth-most shots on his team. Paul George looked like he was 36 as he led the team with 18 shots, Embiid had 17 and Kelly Oubre — who averaged just 10 a game during the season — tallied 16 on Friday. Maxi had 12 shots in Game 3.
Nick Nurse loses his 76ers job in Game 3 vs. Knicks
Furthermore, it was clear that neither George nor Embiid were on a heater at halftime, as they were both outscored by Oubre on Friday as he led the 76ers with 22 points in a 108-94 loss to the Knicks in Game 3.
It's baffling that as soon as the Knicks took control of the game in the second quarter, Nurse did not pull his team to the bench and demand an offensive run through Maxi, their best player and scorer.
Maxi can certainly take some blame for not asserting himself and demanding the ball. But he's still only 25, and it's no surprise he'd take on a pair of NBA greats in a big game. This is where Nurse must show the courage and leadership to engage his veterans in this instance to do what is best for the team.
Nurse was already feeling some heat in his third season as head coach of the 76ers. However, his coaching in Game 3 proves that – barring a history-breaking comeback to win this series – he is not the guy to take this team to the next level and will be out as head coach next week.
