Since the turn of the millennium, Philadelphia 76ers fans have only desired two things – another Larry O’Brien Trophy and the return of their iconic black attire, often associated with the Allen Iverson era. While fans may have to wait for the first wish, they will ultimately receive the latter.
Philadelphia has unveiled its retro court to pair with its classic black jerseys for the 2025-26 season. The 76ers will host 14 opponents in their retro garb with the first being the Toronto Raptors on November 8th at 7:30 p.m. EST.
A side by side of the #Sixers throwback court compared to the original pic.twitter.com/LrOel3EwOQ
— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) September 18, 2025
How does this court hold up?
The 76ers’ throwback court has a few differences compared to the original that many fans feel a great sense of nostalgia for.
Most notably, Philadelphia removed the two basketball commits that occupied each sideline, which was met with slight disappointment from the fandom. The new court is also painted differently as it features a lighter hardwood throughout most of the floor and a darker finish within the arcs.
The 76ers’ half-court emblem endured minor changes as well. While Philadelphia retained its logo from 1997 to 2009, it applied a gradient texture across the lettering and removed the blue circle that surrounded the logo on the prior court. This tweak allows the logo to stand out more and further defines the 2000s aesthetic the team is attempting to establish.
Overall, the 76ers did an excellent job of remastering one of the most iconic courts in league history. Philadelphia seamlessly implemented more modern features while maintaining the old-school appeal. This has been met with sheer excitement from a fanbase in desperate need of lifted spirits.
We can’t forget about the jerseys
Philadelphia announced its plans to celebrate its 2000-01 team throughout the upcoming season across social media on September 8th. To fit the occasion, the 76ers decided to dust off the jerseys worn during that period after seemingly endless demand from fans for years.
Many believe that team to be the peak of their 76ers fandom, and for good reason.
Allen Iverson posted a historic campaign where he won Most Valuable Player and led the NBA in scoring with 31.1 points per game. Iverson rallied Philadelphia to the 2001 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers and played a pivotal role in its Game 1 victory. He notched 48 points – including an iconic step over Tyronn Lue.
Still, the 76ers were outmanned and eliminated in five games. This was the last time that Philadelphia had advanced further than the Eastern Conference Semifinals.