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Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse reacts during a key sequence in Game 3 that sparked controversy following a foul call involving Adem Bona and Jayson Tatum.

The Philadelphia 76ers are one loss away from seeing their 2025-2026 season end.

Heading into Game 5 on the road against the Boston Celtics, a lot could be riding on the final results of that matchup. A 4-1 loss in the first round of the playoffs with a payroll that includes multiple max deals will surely call for some uncomfortable decisions to be made.

76ers head coach Nick Nurse might’ve received his warning.

Is Nick Nurse On The Hotseat?

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty ImagesPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – FEBRUARY 02: Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at the Wells Fargo Center on February 02, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

The Athletic’s Sam Amick dove into some coaching narratives around the league. Nurse landed a mention in a loaded piece:

“The Sixers’ Nick Nurse is widely believed to be under pressure too, meaning Sunday’s loss to Boston, which put them in a 3-1 hole, qualifies as a step in the wrong direction.”

GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 07: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in overtime of game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Nick Nurse took over for Doc Rivers in 2023. When Rivers was sent packing from Philadelphia, it was after a Game 7 loss in the second round against the Celtics.

Since the start of the Nurse era, the Sixers have lost in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks as a No. 7 seed, and missed the playoffs (plus Play-In).

This year, the Sixers needed the Play-In for the second time in three years, and are on the path to getting bounced before round two.

Should Nurse’s Seat Be On Fire?

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 09: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Washington Wizards during first half at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

No matter how you look at it, the Sixers have regressed. While Nick Nurse had a lot of negative situations well out of his control take place over time, the fact of the matter is that the Sixers aren’t any better than they were when Rivers or even Brett Brown was coaching.

Every year since Nurse took over, the preseason expectation is a championship. If that’s not close to being achieved over three years, then that warrants a change.

The Sixers aren’t finished, but they have a lot of work to do in order to cool down the coach’s seat.