76ers Hire Nick Nurse to Replace Doc Rivers

After spending the last couple of weeks searching for a candidate to replace Doc Rivers, the Philadelphia 76ers have found their next head coach. Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has reached an agreement to join the Sixers, a source confirmed to All76ers on Monday.

Nurse, who spent the last ten seasons as a member of the Toronto Raptors, wrapped up his stint with the Eastern Conference organization after spending the last five seasons as the head coach.

As his final season with the Raptors winded down, Nurse made it clear that he would go through a reflection period in the offseason to decide what’s next. At the time, Nurse had one more season on his contract with the Raptors.

After the Raptors missed the playoffs, the organization decided to part ways with Nurse. At the time, Nurse became a favorite to land the Houston Rockets’ head coaching job. After considering a handful of candidates, the Rockets decided to bring on former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.

Eventually, several other head coaching positions opened up. Recently, Nurse was considered a finalist for the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks coaching jobs. According to a report last week, Nurse removed himself from consideration in Milwaukee, which led the Bucks to hire Adrian Griffin.

A couple of days later, it’s confirmed that Nurse will lead the Sixers. During his time in Toronto, Nurse achieved an overall 227-163 record.

The Raptors made the playoffs three out of five seasons. During Nurse’s first season running the ship, the Raptors won the NBA Championship.

The following year, Nurse was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year. While the Raptors struggled to get past the second round following their title-winning season in 2019, Nurse remained regarded as one of the NBA’s best coaches throughout his tenure in Toronto.

Now, he reunites with Daryl Morey in Philadelphia, ten years after coaching the Houston Rockets’ G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Nurse replaces Doc Rivers after a three-season stint.