Nick Nurse stepped away from the Philadelphia 76ers to attend his brother Steve’s funeral on May 5, 2026. Steve Nurse died unexpectedly at the age of 62.
The funeral services took place in Ankeny, Iowa. Nick Nurse left the team following a loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their playoff series, where the score was 137-98.
Nurse has coached the 76ers since the 2023-24 season, leading them through significant challenges. He previously coached the Toronto Raptors, guiding them to their first NBA title in 2019.
The 76ers held a film session but no practice on the day of the funeral. Mike Brown expressed condolences, stating, “I’d like to pass my condolences along to Nick Nurse and his family, his brother’s family and all their friends.”
Nurse is expected to return for Game 2 against the Knicks, who currently lead the series 1-0. This situation illustrates how personal loss can affect coaches during high-stakes playoff seasons.
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