The Philadelphia 76ers came up just short in a tight one against the New York Knicks on Saturday afternoon, and head coach Nick Nurse had some pointed thoughts about how the final seconds played out - or more accurately, how the whistles didn’t.
With the Sixers down three in the closing moments, it looked like they were trying to bait the Knicks into a foul to get to the line or draw a three-shot foul. But the officiating crew kept their whistles quiet, leaving Philly without a late-game lifeline. Nurse didn’t hold back in his postgame comments, clearly frustrated with the no-calls during a critical stretch.
When asked about what appeared to be Landry Shamet trying to foul Tyrese Maxey intentionally, Nurse responded with a mix of sarcasm and resignation: “Yeah, I think he was. But whatever, no big deal… Usually, when you're up three and you need three, teams are gonna foul, but they didn't.”
It wasn’t just the strategy - or lack of one - that had people talking. Maxey's final shot attempt, a contested three, sparked questions about whether he was trying to draw contact mid-shot.
Nurse didn’t directly speak for his guard, but he gave a pretty telling response: “You guys can ask him, but I would imagine he knew he was getting fouled and that they were trying to foul, and he was trying to get the call in a shooting motion. You can ask him, but I'm sure that's what he was thinking.”
Nick Nurse expressed frustration after two no-calls in the final seconds of the Sixers' loss to the Knicks. | @Kia pic.twitter.com/QGNU7Thb1S
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 25, 2026
That kind of late-game sequence is always going to be under the microscope - especially in a division matchup with playoff implications. And for Philly, this one stings. They had a real shot to steal a win, but the combination of missed opportunities and non-calls left them with a frustrating loss to chew on.
Still, there were some bright spots on the court, starting with Joel Embiid, who once again reminded everyone why he’s in the MVP conversation. Embiid put together a monster performance: 38 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and a block.
He was efficient, too - 13-of-21 from the field, 3-of-5 from deep, and 9-of-12 at the line. It was vintage Embiid: dominant, versatile, and relentless.
Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 22 points and six assists, continuing to solidify his role as the team’s second option. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 14 points and seven boards, while VJ Edgecombe - the rookie - turned in a promising 14-point, four-rebound outing that showcased his growing confidence in the rotation.
Despite the loss, the Sixers remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 24-20, ahead of Orlando and Miami, but looking up at Cleveland and Toronto in the standings. With the playoff race tightening, every game - and every call - matters just a little more.
Next up, the Sixers hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets on January 26 at 7 p.m. ET. After a game that ended in controversy, expect Philly to come out with a little extra fire.