76ers make it official, hire Nick Nurse

Apr 5, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers hired former Toronto front man Nick Nurse as their new head coach on Thursday.

The team did not disclose terms of the deal. He will be formally introduced at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

The move comes roughly six weeks after Nurse was fired by the Raptors.

Nurse, 55, replaces Doc Rivers, who was fired on May 17 after the 76ers bowed out in seven games to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Nick Nurse as the new head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers,” team president Daryl Morey said in a statement. “His championship pedigree and diversity of experience mixed with his uniquely creative approach made him our top priority. We are confident that his leadership and expertise will help us unlock the full potential of our talented roster and bring an exciting new era of championship basketball to Philadelphia.”

Nurse had a 227-163 record in five seasons as the Raptors’ head coach. He is also the head coach of the Canadian men’s national team.

“I’m honored to be named head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, a storied franchise in a tradition-rich city,” Nurse said. “It’s been a fun challenge coaching against this group over the last five years. Now, I look forward to coaching the Sixers and doing my part to deliver for this tremendous fanbase.”

Nurse was dismissed by the Raptors in April, ending a tenure that included the 2019 NBA title in his first season at the helm.

He was also reportedly a candidate for the Phoenix Suns vacancy.

–Field Level Media

Exit mobile version