Nurse says it would be a “heckuva challenge” to come back from 0-3

Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse is unruffled by the fact no team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

“I think it’s a heckuva challenge, and somebody’s got to do it,” Nurse said. “And if it gets to 3-1, it’s not 3-0 anymore. And 3-1’s been done.”

The Raptors could be four wins away from history, but they’re also one loss away from elimination, could be missing injured rookie Scottie Barnes again Saturday, and have yet to see a really good game from allstars Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam.

The series was close to turning in Wednesday’s overtime loss, but Joel Embiid’s buzzer-beating three-pointer sent the Sixers into Saturday’s Game 4 with a 3-0 lead.

“We feel like we were super close last game, that was an opportunity to get one, but at the same time, it’s one game at a time. That’s the only approach we can have,” Siakam said.

“History is cool but this one (Saturday) is the most important game of our lives, basically, and I think that’s all that matters. We’ve got to get that one and then we’ve got to think about the rest after.”

NBA teams have come back from 3-1 deficits 13 times. The Denver Nuggets did it twice in the 2020 playoffs, beating Utah in the first round and the L.A. Clippers in the conference semis, the third 3-1 blown lead for head coach Doc Rivers, who of course, now coaches the Sixers.

Philly has also lost two series after leading 3-1.

The Raptors have been swept in three playoff series, twice by Cleveland (2017 and ‘18 conference semifinals), and by the Washington Wizards in the opening round in 2015.