Nick Nurse's baffling decision to lean on Joel Embiid over Tyrese Maxey in Game 3 of the 76ers-Knicks semifinal series has fans and analysts alike calling for his job—and rightfully so. In a must-win situation, down 2-0, with the home crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena seemingly split between Philly faithful and Knicks invaders, Nurse had a golden opportunity to even the series. Instead, he chose a strategy that felt like a relic from two seasons ago.

Let's be clear: Joel Embiid is a seven-time All-Star and a dominant force on both ends of the floor, even in his current diminished form. But the 2025-26 season has made one thing undeniable: this is Tyrese Maxey's team now. The explosive guard finished the regular season as the fifth-highest scorer in the NBA, and his matchup against the Knicks has been a masterclass in speed and finesse. In Game 1, with Embiid as the focal point, the Sixers were blown out by 40 points. In Game 2, with Embiid sidelined and Maxey leading the charge, Philadelphia fought tooth and nail, losing only due to overworked starters.

Yet in Game 3, Nurse reverted to old habits. Maxey logged a game-high 44 minutes, but in a bizarre twist, he took only the fourth-most shots on his own team. Meanwhile, Paul George looked every bit his 36 years, and the offense sputtered under a heavy dose of veteran-led isolation plays. The result? A loss that puts the Sixers in a 3-0 hole—a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome.

For a coach with Nurse's pedigree, this is inexcusable. The evidence was clear: Maxey is the engine that makes this team go. He torches defenses with lightning-quick drives and crafty finishes, and he's proven he can carry the load against New York's stout defense. But instead of riding his hottest hand, Nurse chose to force-feed a system that no longer fits.

If the 76ers are serious about contending, they need a coach who recognizes the present—not one stuck in the past. Firing Nurse next week isn't just a possibility; it's a necessity.