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NBA Referee Explains Nick Nurse’s Ejection From Sixers-Bucks Game

Why did Nick Nurse get ejected on Thursday?
Justin Grasso|
Mar 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse looks on during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse looks on during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia 76ersMilwaukee Bucks

As the Philadelphia 76ers put on an impressive battle against the Milwaukee Bucks while shorthanded, the team lost its head coach during the second half due to an ejection.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was assessed two technical fouls during the game, which sent him back to the locker room earlier than his team. After the game, NBA Crew Chief Mitchell Ervin explained Nurse’s early absence.

“The first technical foul was for profanity directed at the game official,” Ervin told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Noah Levick. “The second technical foul was for derogatory comments directed at the game official.”

Nick Nurs
Mar 24, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse gives direction fro the baseline against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

By the time Thursday’s game reached the later stages of the second half, both teams were without their head coach. During the first half, Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers left the bench area and wouldn’t return. According to the Bucks, Rivers was not feeling well. He was ruled out for the rest of the night, leaving former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham in charge.

As for the Sixers, they had Bryan Gates take over for Nurse when he took off.

Philadelphia put up a good fight in the first half, leading by as many as 17 points in the first quarter. Their lead wouldn’t last very long, though. By halftime, the Bucks formed a comeback and gained a small lead. In the end, the Sixers found themselves taking on another loss by coming up short 126-113.

The Sixers currently have the longest-active losing streak in the NBA as they’ve lost 10 in a row. With a 23-54 record, the Sixers place 13th in the Eastern Conference. According to Tankathon, the Sixers have a 42 percent chance of getting a top-four pick. They have a 10.5 percent chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery and getting the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Philadelphia will be on the court once again on Saturday to host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s Philadelphia 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia Threads: @JGrassoMedia

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