The NBA confirmed the 76ers’ gripes that Tyrese Maxey was a New York mugging victim during the Knicks’ frantic late-game comeback Monday night, and the league also concurred Tuesday with other complaints they made after Game 2
According to the league’s Last Two Minute 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’ comeback victory.
The report states that with 27.0 seconds remaining — just after Brunson’s 3-pointer 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.”
76ers guard Tyrese Maxey #0, loses the ball as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart #3 and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11, defend. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post 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.”
The report also states that the officials were correct in not calling a foul on Maxey against Hart ahead of the inbounds play because “Maxey (PHI) brings his hands towards Hart (NYK) and marginal contact occurs as Maxey releases away from Hart during the inbound.
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That description also includes a notation that states that Philly coach Nick Nurse attempted to call a timeout during the play that was “neither recognized nor granted by the officials.”
One non-call earlier in the final minute of action was ruled to have been missed in the Knicks’ favor.
Tyrese Maxey #0, looses the ball as New York Knicks guard Josh Hart #3 and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11, defend in the closing seconds of the game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post With 34.7 seconds to go, Joel Embiid extended his left hand “forward and into DiVincenzo’s (NYK) head/face as he begins his dribble, and the contact affects his SQBR (speed, quickness, balance, rhythm).”
