Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse praised Joel Embiid’s decision-making, the team’s second-half defense and its ability to respond under pressure after a 106-100 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday.
Nurse highlighted Embiid’s willingness to make the right play rather than force his own shot in Philadelphia’s season opener, which also marked LeBron James’ debut with the 76ers and Jaylen Brown’s first game after arriving from Boston.
“I thought Joel was magnificent tonight and making the right play,” Nurse said after the game. “He just kept making the right play depending on what was there. And that’s really all we’re asking to do. Hit the open man and read the defense.”
Embiid finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points. Brown added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the 76ers rallied from a four-point halftime deficit.
Nurse was particularly encouraged by the team’s defensive execution after the break, when Philadelphia limited New York to 42 points and outscored the Knicks 52-42 in the second half.
“Second half pretty much in general, we did a good job defensively,” Nurse said. He pointed to the team’s work getting through screens, preventing drives and improving its defensive rebounding.
The coach also credited the 76ers’ perimeter shooting for helping them pull away. Anfernee Simons made three 3-pointers, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added two, providing important scoring support when Philadelphia found open looks.
“I thought we were generating a bunch of wide-open threes and just nobody could throw one in,” Nurse said. “Those guys kind of broke through on that and moved the scoreboard for us.”
Nurse stressed that Philadelphia must continue taking those shots when the offense creates them, regardless of whether they are falling early in a game.
The 76ers also showed improved connectivity on defense, with Nurse praising the team’s ability to cover for one another. He singled out Maxey’s anticipation and speed after a timely steal led to a breakaway layup that extended Philadelphia’s lead to six late in the game.
Despite the victory, Nurse cautioned against reading too much into one result, particularly with a roster featuring eight or nine new players.
“Our focus has been really good,” Nurse said. “The intent and all that stuff that we’ve done has been really excellent as far as mental prep.”
He added that the group had been working to accelerate its adjustment to playing together, but emphasized that the Knicks remained a difficult opponent.
“It’s one game. We’re really happy to come over and get a win,” Nurse said. “They’re a hell of a team.”
Philadelphia hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
