Coach Nick Nurse Looking for More After Sixers Win Fourth Straight

Things are going very well for the 76ers without James Harden, traded to the Clippers earlier in the week.

In fact, Philadelphia has now won four straight, including Saturday’s home win over the short-handed Suns — who were again without guard Devin Booker and remain without Bradley Beal.

In Saturday’s win, though, Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey got off to a slow start before finishing with 22 points. 

First-year coach Nick Nurse said his expectations for Maxey — and the entire squad — remain high.

“It’s not enough,” he said of Maxey’s slow start, via Kyle Neubeck of PHLY Sports. “He’s too good to have a quiet first half. I’m not criticizing him, I’m just implying that he needs to be more aggressive. He’s too good beating people off the dribble, he’s too good a shooter, to not take more chances.

“So we’re going to keep working on that a little bit. But I’m glad that he bounced back. We started calling a few (plays) for him.”

Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelly Oubre recorded 25 points and Tobias Harris had 18 points and 10 boards.

But for starters, things are going well for Philadelphia minus Harden in the early season, and the play of Maxey is a big reason why.

This @Sixers trio went off against the Suns 👀 pic.twitter.com/8605R5o9Ml

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 4, 2023