The Nick Nurse era in Philadelphia got off to a rocky start to close out August.
While the Philadelphia 76ers won’t be taking the court with their new head coach until October, fans got to see Nurse during Wednesday’s Phillies game. Ahead of the Phillies final game in their series against the Los Angeles Angels, Nurse had the honor of throwing out the first pitch in front of the home crowd.
And before his first pitch, Nurse gave Phillies fans his best Craig Kimbrel impression, imitating the closer’s iconic spread-arm stance before tossing a pretty solid ball to the Phillie Phanatic.
Nick Nurse did his best Craig Kimbrel impersonation on the ceremonial first pitch before the Phillies game. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/wSNNVXMgcL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 30, 2023
Unfortunately for Nurse and Phillies fans, Kimbrel came into Wednesday’s game but blew a save in the top of the ninth after giving up a home run that allowed the Angels to take an 10-8 lead.
This makes sense dramaturgically 👏#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/W9akcRcIbU
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 30, 2023
Naturally, Phillies fans looked for someone to blame for the rough loss and turned to Nurse and his imitation of Kimbrel’s stance that cursed the closer before the blown save.
Phillies fans blamed Nick Nurse for Craig Kimbrel's blown save after pregame impression
if kimbrel blows this I’m blaming nick nurse
— all my teams want me dead (@PanasonicDX4500) August 30, 2023
i was willing to give nick nurse the benefit of the doubt. it’s not his fault he has sixers stench on him. but like i think i’ll blame this one on him anyways.
— alexis (@anpiatkowski) August 30, 2023
Its Nick Nurse’s fault
— justin (@justinontwt) August 30, 2023
I blame the Kimbrel blown save solely on Nick Nurse. Not a good start, Nick
— TempDaddy (@TempDaddy) August 30, 2023
I can’t believe Craig Kimbrel would do this on the day nick nurse imitated him during the first pitch
— Lizard (@lizyeager23) August 30, 2023
are we sure he didn't take the mound in the 9th? https://t.co/0VgAsGfMB6
— Tom Urtz Jr. (@TomUrtzJr) August 30, 2023
nick nurse threw the first pitch today and he did the craig kimbrel strut. kimbrel proceeded to blow the save in the 9th and leg up 3 runs. sixers are doomed https://t.co/HaLFal53Me
— ryley (@ryleymarker3) August 30, 2023
Nick Nurse was at the game?? No wonder!!!
— Brian Coulter (@PhilaBCoulter) August 30, 2023
This is the Sixers and Nick Nurse’s fault.
— Madison Kelley (@madisonkelleyp) August 30, 2023
100% blaming the Sixers for this Phillies loss.
— Yo! (@FlyGoalScoredBy) August 30, 2023
