Nets HC cries foul after Game 1 loss to 76ers

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Nets HC Jacque Vaughn cries foul after Game 1 loss to 76ers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/15/23

On Saturday, the Philadelphia 76ers downed the Brooklyn Nets, 121-101, taking a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series. After the lopsided loss, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn was crying foul, literally.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Vaughn complained about the officiating on Saturday, singling out 76ers MVP finalist Joel Embiid.

"Hopefully they'll be calling travel and three seconds on the big fella next game," Vaugh said via Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. "So I'll be looking forward to that."

In Game 1, the Nets doubled Embiid early and often, hoping to cut into his offensive production while potentially leading to some turnovers. However, the strategy backfired on the Nets as the 76ers adjusted, shooting the lights out from beyond the arc.

The Sixers not only set a franchise record, knocking down 21 three-pointers, but Embiid also got his, despite the extra attention, scoring 26 points in the win. Meanwhile, James Harden went off, nailing seven threes to help him finish with 23 points, along with 13 assists.

DENIED BY JOEL EMBIID!

4Q of 76ers/Nets underway on ESPN pic.twitter.com/8KOufscRVe
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2023

Complaining about three-second violations and traveling isn't the best look, especially after a game in which your team lost by 20 points. However, that wasn't Vaughn's only red flag on Saturday.

Along with some baffling lineup decisions throughout the game, Vaughn emptied his bench with 4:43 left, down by 17. Now, things weren't going the Nets' way in the second half, but waiving the white flag with nearly five minutes to go isn't bound to inspire much confidence from his players through the remainder of the series.

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