The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a heartbreaking loss against the New York Knicks.
The 76ers were up by 5 with 35 seconds left before the Knicks stormed back to win the game after a crazy sequence.
The Knicks now lead the series 2-0:
KNICKS WILD SEQUENCE FOR THE LEAD 😱
NY TAKES A 2-0 SERIES LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KBYgl41bMO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 23, 2024
“This is worse than Game 7,” Embiid said postgame via The Athletic.
Embiid was referencing the 76ers losing Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 postseason. That’s when Kawhi Leonard hit his iconic buzzer-beater to knock Embiid and Philadelphia out of the playoffs:
Kawhi hit the shot heard around the world 😱
Raptors vs. 76ers, 2019 ECSF Game 7 – 12pm ET on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/rkTYA3xqep
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 5, 2020
Embiid is over exaggerating because the Game 7 loss against the Raptors was obviously more devastating. Kawhi’s game-winning shot was made over Embiid and it eliminated the 76ers from the postseason. Had Leonard missed the shot the Raptors and 76ers would’ve played in overtime.
If the 76ers won that game, they would’ve advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and could’ve gone on to win the NBA Championship.
However, the Raptors were the team of destiny that year. After they defeated the 76ers in thrilling fashion, they knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, before beating the almighty Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals to win its first ever NBA Championship.
Nick Nurse who coached that Raptors team is hoping he has similar success with Philadelphia. However, the 76ers now have their work cut out for them after going down 0-2 against New York.
Embiid has had many heartbreakers in the playoffs. However, none will ever compare to the one he suffered against the Raptors in 2019.
Scottie Barnes & Gradey Dick detail advice they can give to incoming rookies
The Raptors championship days are behind them as the franchise is now in the midst of a rebuild.
Two young pillars who the Raptors will be building around going forward are Scottie Barnes and Gradey Dick. Both players will be mentors to the rookies the Raptors end up drafting this June.
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