Story by
76ers’ Nick Nurse saw ‘different confidence’ in surprise Game 5 hero
- Story by
- 76ers’ Nick Nurse saw ‘different confidence’ in surprise Game 5 hero
76ers’ Nick Nurse saw ‘different confidence’ in surprise Game 5 hero appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia 76ers live to see another day, as they staved off elimination in Game 5 of their first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics with an emphatic 113-97 victory. The majority of the headlines will be focusing on Joel Embiid and his masterful second-half performance that had the Celtics defense scrambling for answers, but the contributions of Quentin Grimes should not go unnoticed.
Advertisement
Grimes stepped up in the second half as well, scoring 12 points in the final two quarters by making three huge triples and three free throws to help keep the Celtics at bay. For a 76ers team that’s been barely using its bench throughout this series against the Celtics, getting this kind of performance from Grimes is simply found money, as he finished with a total of 18 points in 24 minutes of play.
After the game, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse gave Grimes his flowers for emerging as a key contributor for Philly, who now gets a chance to extend their season once more in Game 6 at home.
“I thought he had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said in his postgame presser, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “That was a huge lift because I think it lifted him personally on the other end too because he had a couple really good defensive possessions and that was good.”
For those who’ve forgotten, Grimes emerged as a keeper for the 76ers with his hot streak to end the 2024-25 season after Philly acquired him in a trade.
Advertisement
But with Embiid, Tyrese Maxey , and Paul George all back for the 76ers, Grimes has faded into the background . Still, these are the moments that make Grimes a huge X-factor for Philly, as he has the potential to pop off on any given night.
Perhaps with the home crowd cheering him on for Game 6 on Thursday, Grimes could have another excellent performance with the 7 6ers in need of one heroic performance after another if they were to complete a 3-1 comeback.
Related: 76ers’ Joel Embiid sends huge message to Celtics with confident claim after Game 5
Related: 2 Celtics most to blame for disappointing Game 5 loss to 76ers
