The NBA confirmed the 76ers’ gripes that Tyrese Maxey was a victim of a New York mugging during the Knicks’ frantic late-game comeback Monday night, while also concurring with other complaints they made about timeouts following Game 2.
According to the league’s Last Two Minute (L2M) report, both Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson should have been whistled for fouls on Maxey during the scramble leading up to Donte DiVincenzo’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 13.0 seconds remaining in the Knicks’ Game 2 victory
The report states that with 27.0 seconds to go — just after Brunson’s 3-pointer had brought the Knicks within two — “Brunson (NYK) pulls Maxey’s (PHI) jersey away from his body, which affects Maxey’s ability to secure the pass.”
Then, with 24.9 seconds left — following the inbounds pass by Kyle Lowry — “Hart (NYK) steps forward into Maxey’s (PHI) space and initiates lower body contact that causes Maxey to lose his balance and fall to the floor.”
Then, with 24.9 seconds left — following the inbounds pass by Kyle Lowry — “Hart (NYK) steps forward into Maxey’s (PHI) space and initiates lower body contact that causes Maxey to lose his balance and fall to the floor.”
With 34.7 seconds to go, Embiid extended his left hand “forward and into DiVincenzo’s head/face as he begins his dribble, and the contact affects his SQBR (speed, quickness, balance, rhythm).”
Following Hart’s steal from Maxey, however, it was determined that Nurse’s attempts to get a timeout at that juncture should not have been granted because it was “simultaneous to Hart making contact with the ball and PHI not having possession.”
Nurse, Embiid and the Sixers were incredulous over the officiating calls after the game, with the team indicating it would file an official grievance with the league about the way the first two games of the first-round series have been called.
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