76ers-Knicks news: Sixers look to bounce back; Tiki Barber and others blast Joel Embiid over postgame comments

Nick Nurse immediately identified a string of pick-and-rolls plays in the middle of the floor as a subject of irritation, because the Knicks seemed to score in “pretty much every way they could.”

Three-point shooters left open when a 76ers perimeter defender could not get over the screen. A lob over the top to big man Mitchell Robinson. Jalen Brunson with lethal midrange jumpers, floaters, and attacks all the way to the basket.

“Just too easy,” Nurse said. “It wasn’t challenged.”

Tiki Barber has entered the chat.

Following the Sixers’ loss to the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, Joel Embiid questioned whether a Mikal Bridges’ hit on his midsection during the game – less than a month after an appendectomy – was “necessary.”

“I don’t know if it was dirty or not,” Embiid said from the locker room. “I guess I’ve got to do a better job of protecting, especially that part [of my body]. … Tyrese was already gone, and it was kind of after the play.

Nick Nurse was away from the 76ers Tuesday to attend the funeral services for his brother, Steve, who died unexpectedly last week, the team told The Inquirer and The Athletic.

Steve Nurse, 62, died April 29, the day before the Sixers’ Game 6 win over the Boston Celtics in the first round. Nick Nurse left New York City following his team’s Game 1 loss to the Knicks on Monday night to travel to Ankeny, Iowa, for the services. The coach was expected to rejoin the Sixers in New York later Tuesday.

Like his brother, Steve dedicated much of his life to athletics. He spent 26 years as an equipment manager for the University of Northern Iowa, where Nick also is an alumnus. Steve’s obituary also states that he and his family “were avid NBA fans, most recently of the Philadelphia 76ers. They attended many games in person across the country and rarely missed broadcasts.”

If there’s one constant in the NBA playoffs, it’s channel jumping.

Game 2 of the Sixers’ second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks will air on ESPN Wednesday night, beginning at 7 p.m.

Calling the game is Mike Breen alongside Richard Jefferson and former La Salle standout Tim Legler, with King of Prussia native Lisa Salters reporting from Madison Square Garden.