The Philadelphia 76ers are a historic franchise with some memorable playoff runs. Here are 15 postseason moments that stand out.
Once the Syracuse Nationals, the Philadelphia 76ers were founded in 1946, making them one of the NBA’s longest-tenured franchises. There have been some remarkable highs and agonizing lows over the past seven-plus decades, including many great postseason moments and three NBA titles (1955, 1967 and 1983).
The Sixers are currently locked in battle with the Brooklyn Nets, looking to advance to the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals. With Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris on board, the Sixers have arguably their most talented team since 1983. It just so happens that 1983 was the last time Philadelphia won a championship.
While the are formidable opponents in front of the Sixers — the Milwaukee Bucks, the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors most likely — Philadelphia finally has a realistic path to glory. It hasn’t been that way in quite some time.
In honor of the Sixers’ newfound opportunities, we decided to break down the most memorable playoff moments in the franchise’s lengthy existence. Ranging from their first title (as Philadelphia) in 1967, to Allen Iverson’s indomitable presence in the early 2000s, there’s a lot to sift through.
It’s impossible to include everything — apologies to the Jared Dudley brawl — but that doesn’t mean it was forgotten. When you’re taking 70 years into account, there tend to be more than 15 moments worth remembering. Here are the 15 that stand out the most when looking back on the Sixers’ postseason journeys.
15. Dr. J cements 1983 championship
The Sixers’ last NBA championship came in 1983, a season defined by the arrival of Moses Malone. Not to be overshadowed, however, was Julius Erving, one of the era’s most exciting athletes. It was “Dr. J” who cemented the 1983 title.
With around two minutes left in Game 4, the Sixers — holding a 3-0 series lead — were down 106-104. Erving went berserk from that point forward, scoring seven points down the stretch and claiming a Sixers victory.
At the tail end of the Sixers’ most dominant stretch as a franchise, it was Erving who put the virtual exclamation point on a long-awaited championship. Erving and the Sixers had been to the NBA Finals in prior years, but it wasn’t until Malone’s arrival that the Sixers were able to cruise to the promised land. It was only fitting that Erving made the final push.
After the game, Erving unleashed a classic line, which embodies his dynamic scoring to this day.
"“There wasn’t time to drive, there wasn’t time to swing the ball, so I let it fly. I didn’t find [the final shot of the seven-point stretch]. It found me.” — Sports Illustrated, via Bleacher Report"
On the night, Erving finished with 21 points, five rebounds and six assists on an efficient 8-for-13 shooting. It was the kind of well-rounded effort fans had become accustomed to. He wasn’t NBA Finals MVP, but the Sixers’ star-studded rotation centered heavily around Erving’s presence.
14. Sixers upset Magic in 1999
The Sixers finished the lockout-shortened 1998-99 regular season with a 28-22 record, good enough for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. It was Allen Iverson’s first trip to the playoffs and the Sixers’ first go-around since 1991, when Charles Barkley and company lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
It was a statement series for the Sixers, as Iverson asserted his dominance on both ends. The Sixers were finally contending again, and it only took them four games to dispatch the third-seeded Orlando Magic.
Orlando, with Basketball Hall of Famer Chuck Daly coaching and Penny Hardaway roaming the perimeter, were heavy favorites. Iverson wasn’t to be deterred, though, putting together his most masterful performance in Game 3. He scored 33 points in that game, grabbing a playoff-record 10 steals to boot. The diminutive guard put in work on both ends.
Iverson dumped 37 on Orlando in the final game, securing a 3-1 series victory and establishing himself as one of the NBA’s premier stars. This was fresh on the heels of Iverson’s first scoring title, so it was a year of accomplishments for the 23-year-old.
After the series, the Magic coach had words of praise for the young Iverson.
"“It pretty much was the Allen Iverson show. What he does for that team, I don’t even know if they realize it.” — Chuck Daly, via the Washington Post"
It’s safe to say the Sixers ended up realizing it. This was the first of several impressive runs for Iverson, who became one of the NBA’s most celebrated players in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was very much the beginning of an era for Sixers basketball.
13. Sixers win 7-game series vs. Raptors in 2001
The Sixers’ 2001 playoff run was magical, even if it ended in defeat. The Eastern Conference was a challenging road, with several competitive teams on the docket. The Toronto Raptors were able to take Allen Iverson’s squad to seven games, coming painfully close to finishing the job.
In Game 7, the Raptors were primed to win it — cutting what ended up being Iverson’s longest postseason run short. Vince Carter pump-faked into an open jumper at the last second, only to watch it hit rim and bounce out. The Sixers were victorious, winning a close 4-3 series.
Iverson was his typical self, providing MVP-caliber production for a Sixers team that lacked high-end depth. He played 46 minutes per game during the series, averaging 33.7 points, 6.9 assists and 3.1 steals. We’ve almost reached a point where he’s underrated.
It was also one of Carter’s most impressive NBA stretches, giving fans a duel between two elite guards. Carter averaged 30.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, lifting Toronto after a shakier first-round series against the New York Knicks.
The series featured several heavyweight performances between the two guards. Iverson dropped 54 points in a Game 2 win, while Carter responded with 50 points in Game 3. It was entertaining basketball for seven straight contests.
The Sixers prevailed in an all-time semifinals battle, with two teams slugging it out behind a pair of bona-fide superstars. It marked another step forward in one of the Sixers’ most memorable postseason runs, and perhaps one of the best seven-game series in franchise history.
12. Fo, fo, fo
It’s perhaps the second-most famous interview in Sixers franchise history. Ahead of the Philadelphia’s historic 1983 title run, NBA MVP Moses Malone offered up a simple prediction: Fo, fo, fo. He was, of course, referring to how many games it would take the Sixers to win the ‘chip. Three straight sweeps.
He ended up being remarkably close. The Sixers were a dominant force, steadfast behind Malone’s production, Julius Erving’s talent and Maurice Cheeks’ playmaking abilities. Philadelphia won the first round in four, abruptly sweeping the New York Knicks. They went on to win the NBA Finals in four as well, handling Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Only the second round deviated from Malone’s prediction.
The Milwaukee Bucks were a tough team, entering the conference finals after handing the Celtics’ their first sweep in franchise history. The Sixers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead, but would lose the fourth game 100-94 — ending Malone’s fo, fo, fo chances.
How close the Sixers came to accomplishing that task, however, speaks to just how dominant the 1982-83 team was. Erving and company were competitive in seasons prior, but it wasn’t until Malone’s arrival that the championship became almost inevitable. He was NBA MVP for a reason.
1983 was the last time Philadelphia came out on top in basketball. That’s why it will deservedly get multiple spots on this list. Malone’s quote remains one of the most famous sentences uttered by a Sixers player.
11. Sixers upset top-seeded Bulls in 2012
The Sixers entered the 2012 NBA Playoffs as underdogs, facing a top-seeded Chicago Bulls team with two All-Stars in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Few expected the Sixers, devoid of star talent, to compete. It ended up being one of the Sixers’ most memorable postseason runs.
Luck broke in Philadelphia’s favor, as Rose went down with a torn ACL late in the first game. Noah would then get hurt in Game 3, leaving the Sixers with a 2-1 series lead against a team missing its two best players.
Even with the asterisk next to the record, though, the Sixers put together an impressive run. Andre Iguodala stepped into a leadership role, while Jrue Holiday flashed the talent that would make him an NBA All-Star the next season. Even Spencer Hawes played an important role at center.
It was a team of misfits, lacking the traditional go-to option that most competitive teams have. It was also the Sixers’ first postseason appearance since Allen Iverson donned the jersey, with the lockout-shortened schedule playing a role. They weren’t supposed to be there, but made noise anyway.
The Sixers closed out the series in six games, winning in front of the home crowd and providing fans with an epic finish. Trailing by one with seven seconds left, Andre Iguodala rebounded a missed Omer Asik free throw before taking it full-court and drawing a foul.
After both free throws fell, the Bulls missed a full-court heave, sending the Wells Fargo Center into a frenzy as “Iggy” and Evan Turner leaped onto the scorer’s table. Watching from the Bulls bench was a young Jimmy Butler.
It was the pinnacle of excitement for an enjoyable Sixers team with several players who embodied the spirit of Philadelphia. The squad’s reign wouldn’t last long — ‘The Process’ would follow soon after — but contrary to belief at the time, people will remember the Sixers’ upset.
10. ‘Beat LA’ chants in 1982 ECF
The Sixers-Celtics rivalry goes back further than 2018, folks. There has been bad blood between the northeastern franchises since the early days. That hatred was at its peak in the early-to-mid 1980s. That’s why this moment was so unique.
After a hard-fought series in the 1982 playoffs, the Sixers were en route to a Game 7 victory on foreign turf. It was in Boston, meaning the fans in attendance were very much anti-Philadelphia. Or, at least, that’s what one might assume.
Something happened, though. Something that showcases the bond sports can create. Rather than unceremoniously booing the Sixers, Boston fans united in an epic ‘Beat L.A.’ chant — referring to the Sixers’ impending NBA Finals matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
It links to the classic ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ adage, as both franchises were entrenched in their disdain for the Lakers. Celtics fans, rather than dwelling on a tough loss, were willing to embrace the Sixers and their collective goal: to beat L.A.
The Sixers’ season would unfortunately end in defeat, as Los Angeles prevailed once again in the NBA Finals. It didn’t take long for the Sixers to rebound, though, adding Moses Malone and cruising to a four-game sweep over Los Angeles in the 1983 championship. So the Sixers, albeit a tad late, did answer the Boston crowd’s calls.
It was an almost unprecedented show of class and unity between two bitter rivals. It was also the beginning of a ‘Beat L.A.’ chant that has stood the test of time, constantly popping back up in both the NBA and other sports leagues.
9. ECF win vs. Bucks in 2001
The Sixers were about 18 years removed from their last NBA Finals appearance in 2001. That’s when Allen Iverson, fresh off his first (and only) NBA MVP win, dragged the Sixers to title contention. The Milwaukee Bucks posed the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference.
Holding the No. 2 seed, the Bucks were saddled with talent. Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson were NBA All-Star caliber players, giving Milwaukee a dynamic perimeter attack that thoroughly challenged the Sixers.
It was a long and grinding seven-game series, with both teams experiencing significant ups and downs. Iverson was cold early in the series, but the Sixers still managed to take a 3-2 lead before Game 6, which became a truly unique spectacle.
The Bucks won, but it wasn’t easy — not as easy as it should have been. Milwaukee was up 80-54 entering the final frame, but “A.I.” went off, scoring 26 points in the fourth quarter and asserting his dominance in the series.
After Milwaukee staved off defeat, Iverson went into Game 7 with unbreakable confidence, scoring 44 points and guiding the Sixers to a long-awaited NBA Finals appearance. It remains one of the most intense, drawn-out series in Sixers history.
Given the draining effect such a tough series had on the Sixers, one might expect them to fold in the upcoming face-off with Los Angeles. That, of course, didn’t happen. Iverson carried his hot hand into the NBA Finals, helping the Sixers pull off an epic Game 1 defeat — something we’ll touch on later.
8. First series win in ‘The Process’ Era
Not long ago, Sam Hinkie traded Jrue Holiday for Nerlens Noel, beginning a multi-year rebuild that would polarize both Sixers fans and NBA pundits. Some criticized the blatant attempts to lose, while others praised Hinkie’s longest-view-in-the-room approach. It’s fair to say Hinkie had a point.
After Hinkie’s dismissal, Bryan Colangelo took over the general manager position. While Colangelo’s tenure ended in flames, his lack of attention to the margins and questionable free agent signings couldn’t undo the core pieces of what Hinkie set in motion.
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons emerged as stars in 2017-18, leading the Sixers to 52 wins, despite their relative inexperience. After ending the season on a 16-game win streak, Philadelphia entered the postseason as the three-seed, facing a scrappy Miami Heat team.
Some expected the Sixers’ inexperience to backfire, but it didn’t. The Sixers were riding a wave of momentum, carried by a rabid fanbase, a catchy #PhilaUnite slogan and some talented young pieces. The Heat were done in five.
It was a monumental series for various reasons. It was Brett Brown’s first postseason as Sixers head coach, as well as the first series victory for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. It also coincided with Meek Mill’s release from prison, as the famous rapper sat courtside just hours after being freed. There was palpable energy around the franchise and the city. It was an incredible environment.
After suffering through ‘The Process’ years, it was among the most rewarding sensations in recent memory for Sixers fans. Embiid and Simmons proved themselves on the big stage, while fan favorites — such as Robert Covington, Dario Saric and T.J. McConnell — all made an impact.
7. Maurice Cheeks puts cherry on 1983 title run
The 1982-83 season was a magical one for Sixers fans, ending in the franchise’s most recent NBA title. Several moments on this list stem from that season — whether it’s Moses Malone’ famous prediction or Julius Erving’s late-game dominance.
One of the most memorable single plays in Sixers history, however, came courtesy of Maurice Cheeks — the diminutive lead guard who was known for his playmaking more than his flash. As the final seconds wound down, Cheeks broke out a slam dunk, punctuating the Sixers’ 115-108 victory.
That team ended up with five Basketball Hall of Famers — Cheeks, Erving, Malone, sixth man Bobby Jones and head coach Billy Cunningham. Cheeks wasn’t the most exciting talent on the team, but his work ethic, hustle and basketball I.Q. fit in the Philadelphia sports scene.
For such a star-laden group, it was quite the balanced effort. Malone was the stabilizing force inside, while Erving provided an athletic scoring punch. Cheeks orchestrated the offense, while Jones was an all-time defender off the bench. All the pieces clicked at the right time.
When looking back on the moment, Cheeks said the dunk was “thrill of the moment,” as he wasn’t known for athletic feats. It epitomized the excitement around both the organization and the city, as the Sixers achieved the long-awaited title status. It was fitting for how dominant that title run was as well — fo, fi, fo.
6. Andrew Toney activates ‘Boston Strangler’ in 1982
An oft-forgotten name from those late 1970s, early 1980s Sixers teams is Andrew Toney. While foot injuries ended up shortening his career, Toney was as dynamic a scorer as any in his prime, offering the Sixers a go-to option next to Maurice Cheeks in the backcourt.
Over the course of his career, Toney became known for his standout performances against the Boston Celtics — the Sixers’ biggest rivals, both then and now. He was dubbed ‘the Boston Strangler’ as a result.
In the 1982 playoffs, Philadelphia and Boston were pitted against one another in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a hard-fought series that ended up going seven games, with both teams throwing haymakers as the series progressed.
While it wasn’t a smooth ride, Toney was spectacular throughout, accumulating three 30+ point outings. All three came in wins. Perhaps his most memorable performance, however, was Game 7 — when Toney dropped 34 points in an exclamation that ended Boston’s season.
Toney was so effective that Boston traded for defensive specialist Dennis Johnson ahead of the 1983-84 season to slow him down. Johnson would go on to drop this gem.
"“Am I the answer to Andrew Toney? I don’t know. I don’t know if anyone can stop him. I’ve had some success against him, he’s had some success against me.” — Philly.com, via BallisLife"
In modern terms, Toney lived rent-free inside the Celtics’ head — and it was obvious. He was near the peak of his powers in 1982. His scoring went a long way in securing the Sixers’ conference title that season. Which led to the “Beat L.A. chants,” which carried into the following season’s title run.
When discussing all-time Sixers greats, don’t leave Toney out of the conversation.
5. 1967 championship run
The 1967 Sixers will go down as one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. After losing to the Boston Celtics the previous postseason (see, the Celtics, again), the Sixers turned into an absolute juggernaut in 1966-67. It resulted in the franchise’s first NBA title in Philadelphia.
Wilt Chamberlain was a statistical marvel, averaging 24.1 points, 24.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. He commanded the paint like no other big man in that era, soaring for blocks on defense and out-muscling defenders on the other end.
In Chamberlain alone, the Sixers had the foundation for a championship team. With other Basketball Hall of Fame caliber players alongside him, though, Philadelphia was in prime position. Chet Walker and Billy Cunningham checked that box.
The Sixers were dominant in the regular season, winning 45 of the first 49 games and finishing the season with a 68-13 record. Wilt went on to win NBA MVP and the Sixers carried ample momentum into the postseason.
There was significant competition on the docket, but Philadelphia handled Boston in five games in the conference finals, earning a title showdown with the then-San Francisco Warriors. It ended up being Sixers in six, as Wilt and company claimed the city’s first NBA championship.
For most moderately aged fans, 1967 lives more in the history books than it does in memories. Even so, older generations and historians can still reminisce about one of the franchise’s pivotal moments. It’s impossible not to include Philadelphia’s first taste of basketball glory.
4. Dr. J gets saucy in 1980 playoffs
To no one’s surprise, Julius Erving gets another spot on the list. Before winning the title in 1983, Erving and the Sixers made multiple appearances, including 1980. It was against the Los Angeles Lakers, one of several memorable meetings between the two historic franchises.
The series ended in six after Magic Johnson, then just a rookie, played all five positions and dropped 42 points in the series-clinching game. It was a brutal loss for the Sixers, especially after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s ankle injury in Game 5. Before the defeat, however, Erving put his athleticism on full display.
In Game 4, Erving drove baseline against the Lakers’ stout defensive front. Rather than taking a pull-up jumper or forcing a contest shot, he got crafty, breaking out one of the most famous lay-ups in NBA history.
Erving took off on the right-hand side of the basket, even stretching his right arm towards the backboard. He then brought the ball back down, instead wrapping it around Mark Landsberger and Kareem before finishing on the left-hand side — all in one fluid leap.
Now touted as one of the greatest players in franchise history, this was arguably Erving’s most memorable move — right there with his ‘rock the cradle’ dunk in 1983, also against the Lakers. The Sixers were competitive for years leading up to their 1983 title run, and Erving was the main reason for that.
We’ve come to take athletic dunkers for granted, but Erving was an O.G. He was one of the first to bring high-flying acrobatics to the mainstream, wowing crowds with both his skill and his flash. Not many players in 2019 could pull off that move, much less those in 1980.
3. A.I.’s ‘practice’ rant
“We talkin’ bout practice. Not a game. Not a game. Not a game. We talkin’ bout practice.”
Few lines in the history of basketball are more quotable than Allen Iverson’s gem from 2002. On May 7, after the Sixers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Iverson sat in front of reporters and gave an emotional interview. One that included a not-to-subtle rant about practice.
When questioned about his dedication to practice, Iverson pointed to larger problems. He was the franchise centerpiece for a team that, just one year prior, made it to the NBA Finals. Why were people talking about practice?
Many viewed it as a sign of Iverson’s perceived immaturity, the antics that led some to disavow his presence in Philadelphia. In truth, it was much larger than that — something most media soundbites fail to portray.
Iverson was dealing with the loss of a close friend during the 2001-02 season. That made the aches and pains of an 82-game campaign even tougher. Later in the same media session, Iverson got far more intimate while opening up about his struggles.
"“I’m upset for one reason: ‘Cause I’m in here. I lost. I lost my best friend. I lost him, and I lost this year. Everything is just going downhill for me, as far as just that. You know, as far as my life. And then I’m dealing with this. … My best friend is dead. Dead. And we lost. And this is what I have to go through for the rest of the summer until the season is all over again.” — ESPN"
It’s always important to place things in context, especially when people begin to call someone’s character and motivation to win into question. Athletes are still humans, a well-worn cliché that gets forgotten far too often when discussing the all-time greats.
Iverson was discussing his all-out mentality and in-game performances, not simply discrediting the importance of practice. And there were still things beyond basketball factoring into his comments. Don’t overlook those aspects, especially if the goal is to shade Iverson’s personality or commitment.
2. A.I.’s stepover in 2001 Finals
The Sixers’ 2001 NBA Finals appearance didn’t yield a championship, but it did provide Philadelphia with several fond memories — most of which pertain to Allen Iverson, arguably the city’s most emblematic star.
Facing the vaunted Los Angeles Lakers, the Sixers were significant underdogs. Los Angeles hadn’t lost coming into the series and some expected their streak to continue. Iverson willed the opposite true, putting together a dominant Game 1 performance that ended in a Sixers victory.
Iverson scored 48 points on the road, using his shifty handles and elite shot-making to carve up the Lakers’ defense. It would end up being the Lakers’ only loss, but it was impressive nonetheless. The Sixers weren’t nearly as deep, but Iverson alone was enough to snatch one win.
It wasn’t a seamless 48 points, though. In the second half, the Lakers applied pressure to Iverson in the form of Tyronn Lue — a scrappy reserve whose one-on-one defense momentarily slowed Iverson down.
The game would end up going to overtime, where Iverson regained his footing and closed out the game. Lue, however, lost his footing. As Iverson swished a game-sealing fadeaway in the final minute, Lue tumbled to the ground. Iverson stepped over the future Cleveland Cavaliers coach, signifying his superior status and the Sixers’ arrival on the biggest stage.
Iverson meant an incredible amount to both the Sixers and the City of Philadelphia, both for his on-court work and his personality. He’s without a doubt the most popular Sixer to date, setting the tone for the franchise at the turn of the century. Dr. J, Wilt and Moses were all great, but Iverson — in his own unique manner — put his thumbprint on the city.
1. 1983 championship run
One needs to go back 36 years to revisit the Sixers’ last NBA championship. It was a while ago, but remains fresh in the minds of those who experienced it. The Sixers were competitive throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, but it didn’t culminate until a dominant 1982-83 campaign.
Several moments on this list came from the 1983 Finals run — Moses Malone’s famous prediction, Maurice Cheeks’ late-game dunk and Julius Erving’s dagger-setting performance. It was that kind of season for the Sixers. Just a lot of memorable, all-time moments.
The Sixers were always able to compete with Erving as the headliner, but something rather large changed in 1982-83 — Malone arrived. Not only did he assert himself as the team’s best player, but Malone won NBA MVP rather convincingly. He went on the win NBA Finals MVP as well, averaging 25.8 points, 18.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest during the four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers
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Adding Malone to the mix gave Philadelphia another gear, which propelled them to a historic regular season and playoff stint. Malone’s ‘fo, fo, fo’ prediction was just one game off, meaning the Sixers needed a mere 13 games to claim the title.
For such a historic franchise, it’s almost odd to have such a long time between championships. But the Sixers haven’t been able to recreate their 1983 success, with Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson and others never getting over the hump.
The Sixers are beginning their pursuit yet again, though, as ‘The Process’ now enters its most competitive stage. Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons rank among the most talented starting fives in recent memory. Perhaps the Sixers can get back to the promised land sooner rather than later?
1983 was a special year for Philadelphia and deserves the top spot on this list. But the Sixers, now up 3-1 on the Brooklyn Nets in round one, could add more special moments in the near future.