76ers Head Coach Takes Leave of Absence Mid-Playoffs After Brother Unexpectedly Dies

Nick Nurse Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty NEED TO KNOW Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse is dealing with the death of his brother Steve Nurse died last week at the age of 62 On Tuesday, Nick left the team to travel to Iowa for the funeral Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse stepped away from the team on Tuesday due to the death of his brother, according to multiple reports. The team told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Nurse, 58, would be attending the funeral of his brother Steve Nurse, who died last week in Iowa at the age of 62. Nick flew from New York to Iowa following the Sixers’ Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday, May 4.

Steve died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 29 in Carroll, Iowa, according to his obituary . The married father of two had worked for his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, as its athletic equipment manager for 26 years. “His love of sports was evident in his work, and he found great joy in helping athletes succeed,” his obituary states.

“That passion reflected his natural ability to connect with others; he had a lifelong gift for making new friends and taking a genuine interest in their lives. ” Steve and his family were also “avid NBA fans, most recently of the Philadelphia 76ers,” according to his obituary. “They attended many games in person across the country and rarely missed broadcasts.

” Nick Nurse Credit: David Dow/NBAE via Getty Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now! The Sixers coach is expected to be back with the team in New York on Wednesday, May 6 when they play the Knicks in Game 2, according to ESPN . "I'd like to pass my condolences along to Nick Nurse and his family, his brother's family and all their friends," Knicks coach Mike Brown said.