Sixers to Hire Nick Nurse as Coach

The 76ers are hiring former Raptors coach Nick Nurse to fill their own vacancy, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Nurse, 55, won a championship as coach of the Raptors in 2019, compiling an overall record of 227-163 in five seasons in Toronto. He went 25-16 in the playoffs.

The latter is really the Sixers have struggled lately, leading to their decision to part ways with ex-coach Doc Rivers a couple of weeks ago.

Before becoming head coach in Toronto, Nurse spent five years as an assistant. He also coached the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Iowa Energy of the G League, as well as served as a coach in the British Basketball League.

Philadelphia still has some big decisions to make — as standout guard James Harden is expected to opt out of his contract in search a four-year deal. 

With or without Harden, Nurse is likely to be coaching a different Sixers roster next season, with center Joel Embiid considered the lone untouchable.

Nurse reportedly had also been a strong candidate for the Suns’ coaching vacancy.