Philadelphia 76ers
| File:Philadelphia 76ers logo.svg Primary logo | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional basketball team |
| Predecessor | Syracuse Nationals |
| Founded | 1946 (as Syracuse Nationals) |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | United States (NBA) |
| Owner | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment |
| Parent | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment |
| Website | www |
The Philadelphia 76ers, commonly known as the Sixers, are a professional basketball franchise located within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. They participate in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as members of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Their home contests take place at the Wells Fargo Center, situated in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.
Established in 1946 originally as the Syracuse Nationals, this team ranks among the oldest franchises in the NBA and is one of only eight to have endured through the league’s initial decade. The team is owned and operated by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), with founders Josh Harris and David Blitzer having acquired ownership in 2011.
The 76ers boast a rich legacy highlighted by numerous players inducted into the Hall of Fame, including legends like Dolph Schayes, Hal Greer, Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson.
Throughout their history, the franchise has earned three NBA titles: initially as the Syracuse Nationals in 1955, again in 1967 with Chamberlain leading, and once more in 1983 featuring Erving and Malone. Their latest appearance in the NBA Finals was in 2001, driven by Iverson, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in a five-game series. Chamberlain, Erving, Malone, Iverson, along with current standout Joel Embiid, have collectively garnered seven NBA Most Valuable Player honors while representing the team.
1946–1963: Syracuse Nationals
The Syracuse Nationals were founded in 1946 by Italian immigrant Danny Biasone who invested $5,000 to establish the team within the NBL based in Syracuse, New York. Initially competing against smaller Midwestern teams, they recorded a modest 21–23 win-loss tally and were eliminated by the Rochester Royals during playoffs. The subsequent season saw improvement to a 24–36 record, yet they still qualified for postseason play.
Prior to the 1948–49 campaign, four teams departed from the NBL to join the BAA, setting up a forthcoming merger. The Nationals’ strategy for success began with hiring Leo Ferris, who brought on board Al Cervi as player-coach and successfully signed rookie star Dolph Schayes, outbidding the New York Knicks. This contributed to an impressive 40–23 season finish and a playoff series victory over the Hammond Calumet Buccaneers. When the NBL merged with the BAA in 1949 to form today’s NBA, Syracuse was among seven NBL squads incorporated into the new league.
The Nationals quickly established themselves as contenders in their NBA debut season, clinching the Eastern Division title during the 1949–50 season with an outstanding 51–13 record. They advanced past both the Philadelphia Warriors and New York Knickerbockers in playoffs but ultimately succumbed to the Minneapolis Lakers in six games during the NBA Finals.
Although some teams exited for rival leagues before the start of the 1950–51 season, Syracuse persevered and ended fourth with a 32–34 record. They staged an upset against top-seeded Warriors but narrowly lost a five-game Eastern Finals series to the Knickerbockers.
Under Cervi’s leadership, which emphasized deliberate offensive sets paired with tenacious defense, they led all teams defensively throughout the 1951–52 season. The Nationals again secured first place in their division at 40–26, defeating Philadelphia once more but falling short against New York in another Eastern Finals matchup.
In 1952–53, Syracuse achieved second place with a 47–24 record and participated in an epic playoff game against Boston that extended into four overtimes—the longest game ever recorded in NBA history.
During the 1953–54 season’s nine-team NBA lineup, acquiring Alex Groza and Ralph Beard from disbanded Indianapolis Olympians strengthened their roster. The Nationals finished just two games behind division leaders at 42–30. After winning a round-robin playoff series and defeating Boston in Eastern Finals, they lost a tightly contested seven-game NBA Finals series to Minneapolis.
Financial difficulties affected several teams in 1954–55; owner Biasone proposed implementing a shot clock to accelerate gameplay. This led to adoption of a revolutionary 24-second shot clock rule that increased scoring averages league-wide by approximately fourteen points per game. That year, Syracuse topped their division at 43–29 and reached another NBA Finals. Overcoming early setbacks against Detroit Pistons, they triumphed in Game 7 at home to claim their inaugural NBA Championship.
The following season (1955–56) proved challenging as they barely qualified for playoffs with a losing record of 35–37; however, they upset Boston before losing Eastern Finals to Philadelphia Warriors. Subsequently, gold accents were removed from their uniforms.
A coaching transition brought Paul Seymour aboard for 1956–57, sparking improvement that resulted in second place at 38–34. The team reached Eastern Finals again but were swept by eventual champions Boston Celtics.
By 1957–58, as other small-market franchises relocated or folded, Syracuse remained as last small-town team but still managed second place with a 41–31 record. Their postseason ended prematurely against Philadelphia Warriors.
Despite an average campaign in 1958–59 finishing at 35–37, Nationals swept New York Knicks before falling to Boston Celtics after seven games in Eastern Finals.
In an era dominated by stars like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Pettit, and Elgin Baylor, Syracuse held competitive form with a solid third-place finish at 45–30 during 1959–60 but were eliminated by Philadelphia Warriors in playoffs.
Following Lakers’ relocation to Los Angeles before 1960–61 season, Syracuse became last original NBL franchise remaining in its founding city. They concluded third at 38–41, upset Warriors again but lost Eastern Finals to Celtics.
During 1961–62 season, while Schayes missed significant time due to injury, Hal Greer emerged as leading scorer; team ended third at 41–39 but was ousted by Warriors after forcing decisive fifth game.
Despite an aging roster heading into 1962–63 campaign, strong contributions from Johnny Kerr helped Nationals finish second at 48–32. In playoffs versus Cincinnati Royals, they initially led series but dropped last two games including overtime Game 5 on home court, ending their postseason run.
Relocation to Philadelphia
The Syracuse Nationals concluded their final match on March 26, 1963, before investors Irv Kosloff and Ike Richman acquired the franchise and transferred it to Philadelphia. This move filled the void left by the Warriors' relocation to San Francisco. Syracuse was the last medium-sized market to host an NBA team, but central New York could no longer sustain it financially. The NBA reestablished its presence in Philadelphia just one year after the Warriors' exit. Through a naming contest, the team was christened the "76ers," a nod to Philadelphia’s historic 1776 Declaration of Independence signing. The abbreviated "Sixers" quickly became a prominent branding element and remains synonymous with the franchise.
Initially, home games were held at venues including the Philadelphia Arena, the Civic Center-Convention Hall, and occasionally The Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania. Dolph Schayes took on the role of head coach for four seasons, one of which he served as a player-coach.
1964–1968: Wilt Chamberlain era
During the 1964–65 season, the 76ers secured Wilt Chamberlain from the Warriors. Chamberlain, a native Philadelphian and former Overbrook High School standout, had started his professional journey with the Philadelphia Warriors. That year, the 76ers challenged the Boston Celtics in a seven-game semifinal series but narrowly lost Game 7 by a single point following a crucial steal by John Havlicek. On December 3, 1965, co-owner Ike Richman tragically passed away from a heart attack courtside during a game at Boston Garden.
1966–1967: First title in Philadelphia
Under head coach Alex Hannum, the 76ers experienced an extraordinary season, beginning with an impressive 46–4 record and concluding at 68–13—the best in NBA history at that time. Led by Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, Greer, along with all-stars Chet Walker, Lucious Jackson, and Wali Jones, the team advanced to the semifinals where they defeated the Celtics in five games, ending Boston’s eight-year championship streak. In the Finals, Philadelphia triumphed over the Warriors in six games to claim their second NBA Championship. During the NBA's 35th anniversary celebration in 1980, this 1966–67 squad was honored as the greatest team in league history.
1967–1968: First year at the Spectrum
In the 1967–68 season, now hosting games at The Spectrum, the 76ers returned to postseason play but were eliminated in a seven-game semifinal series by the Celtics despite holding a 3–1 lead.
1968–1976: Fall of the 76ers
Following Wilt Chamberlain’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers for Archie Clark, Darrall Imhoff, and Jerry Chambers—partly motivated by concerns over losing him to the ABA—the team's fortunes took a sharp downturn. The situation worsened due to Lucious Jackson’s severe injury in 1969 and trading All-Star Chet Walker to the Chicago Bulls. Although competitive for several seasons afterward, Philadelphia missed postseason action in 1971–72 after finishing with a disappointing 30–52 record.
The decline intensified during 1972–73 after General Manager Jack Ramsay departed and multiple coaching candidates declined offers; ultimately, Roy Rubin was appointed following an advertisement placed in The Philadelphia Inquirer. That same offseason saw star player Cunningham jump to the ABA immediately after Rubin’s hiring. The depleted roster began with an unprecedented 15-game losing streak and set an NBA record with a 20-game skid. They closed with a franchise-low 9–73 record—the fewest wins ever recorded in an NBA full season—and a .110 winning percentage, both league records at that time. Rubin was dismissed after starting 4–47; player-coach Kevin Loughery completed the season with a 5–26 mark. The team finished an astonishing 59 games behind division champions Boston Celtics. This squad is widely regarded as one of the worst teams in NBA history.
Gene Shue was hired as head coach in subsequent seasons, initiating gradual improvement. During the 1975–76 season, acquiring ABA star George McGinnis helped restore playoff competitiveness after five years of absence, although they were swiftly eliminated by the Buffalo Braves. Conversely, selecting high school phenom Darryl Dawkins fifth overall in 1975 did not meet expectations as his development lagged despite his natural ability and imposing physical stature.
1976–1987: The Julius Erving Period
The Philadelphia 76ers' revival commenced in the 1976–77 season, propelled by the ABA–NBA merger and the high-profile acquisition of ABA luminary Julius Erving from the New York Nets for $3 million. Prior to this, ownership transitioned to Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr. on May 28, 1976.
With Erving at the helm, Philadelphia overcame their rivals, the Boston Celtics, in a seven-game playoff series to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. There, they triumphed over the Houston Rockets—who featured future 76er Moses Malone—earning a spot in the NBA Finals. Despite initially taking a 2–0 lead against the Portland Trail Blazers, the team dropped the subsequent four games, ultimately relinquishing the championship.
The next season adopted the slogan "We owe you one," symbolizing their determination after falling in the conference finals to the eventual champions, the Washington Bullets. Over the ensuing four years, even with coach Billy Cunningham’s guidance, Philadelphia was unable to secure an NBA title. In the 1980 NBA Finals, they were defeated 4–2 by the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighted by rookie Magic Johnson’s remarkable performance in Game Six.
During the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals, Philadelphia held a 3–1 advantage over Boston but succumbed in seven games. The following year mirrored this scenario: holding a 3–1 lead again and forcing a decisive Game Seven at Boston Garden, where they clinched a 120–106 victory—becoming just the third NBA road team to win a Game Seven after leading 3–1. The Boston crowd’s chant "Beat L.A., Beat L.A." originated during this series as an expression of reluctant support for Philadelphia against their more despised rival, the Lakers. Nevertheless, the 76ers fell in six games during the 1982 NBA Finals to Los Angeles.
1982–1983: Securing Their Third NBA Title
In 1981, Harold Katz acquired ownership of the 76ers and finalized a championship-caliber roster by adding center Moses Malone ahead of the 1982–83 NBA season. Anchored by Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks, alongside All-Stars Andrew Toney and Bobby Jones, Philadelphia dominated with 65 wins—the franchise’s second-best record ever. Malone captured League MVP honors and famously forecasted a "four, four, four" sweep through the playoffs.
The team came close to fulfilling this prophecy by sweeping the New York Knicks, dispatching the Milwaukee Bucks in five games, and sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers to claim their third NBA championship and second while based in Philadelphia. Malone earned Finals MVP recognition. Their 12–1 playoff record ties for one of the fewest losses in NBA postseason history, equaled only by the 2000–01 Lakers and 2016–17 Golden State Warriors. The local R&B group Pieces Of A Dream even released a track titled "Fo-Fi-Fo," inspired by Malone’s phrase. This title remained Philadelphia’s last major professional sports championship until the Phillies captured the 2008 World Series.
Introduction of Charles Barkley
Following a disappointing 1983–84 NBA season that ended with a first-round playoff exit against the New Jersey Nets, Charles Barkley joined Philadelphia for the 1984–85 NBA season. Over eight years, Barkley invigorated fans with his powerful playing style and charismatic presence. The team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals during his rookie campaign but were defeated by the Boston Celtics.
After that season, Matt Guokas succeeded Billy Cunningham as head coach, guiding Philadelphia to a 54–28 record and experiencing a seven-game second-round defeat to Milwaukee in 1986.
On June 16, 1986, Katz executed controversial trades by sending Moses Malone to Washington and trading away the first overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft—originally obtained from San Diego in 1979—to Cleveland. In exchange, Philadelphia acquired Roy Hinson, Jeff Ruland, and Cliff Robinson; however, none remained with the team beyond three seasons. Cleveland used that selection to draft future All-Star Brad Daugherty.
At the outset of the 1986–87 NBA season, Julius Erving announced his retirement following an injury-ridden year. The team concluded with a 45–37 record but was ousted by Milwaukee in a five-game first-round playoff series.
1987–1992: The Charles Barkley Period
During the 1987–88 campaign, the 76ers started with a 20–23 record, leading to the dismissal of coach Guokas and the promotion of assistant Jim Lynam, who went 16–23 to close out the season. The team finished 36–46, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1975. In the 1988 draft, Philadelphia selected Charles Smith third overall but traded his rights for Hersey Hawkins. Hawkins averaged 19 points per game over five seasons and set franchise records in three-point attempts and makes before being traded in 1993.
Philadelphia returned to postseason play in 1988–89 but were swept by the New York Knicks in the opening round. The following year, Barkley placed second in MVP voting as the team clinched the Atlantic Division with a 53–29 mark. After defeating Cleveland in the first round, they lost to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in five games—a result repeated in 1991 after a first-round sweep of Milwaukee. The 1991–92 season ended with a disappointing 35–47 record and no playoff berth. On June 17, 1992, Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang—a transaction that faced widespread criticism.
1992–1996: The Struggle Years
Following the 1991–92 season, Lynam transitioned to general manager and hired Doug Moe as head coach. Moe's tenure lasted just 56 games with a 19–37 record. Fred Carter took over coaching duties in March 1993 but finished with a combined record of 32–76. After the 1993–94 season, John Lucas was appointed both head coach and general manager; under his guidance, the team went 42–122 over two seasons.
The decline was exacerbated by poor personnel choices: ineffective free-agent signings like Scott Williams and Charles Shackleford; aging veterans including LaSalle Thompson and Orlando Woolridge; and questionable draft selections such as Shawn Bradley and Sharone Wright—both of whom had brief NBA careers compared to Eddie Jones, picked four spots later, who enjoyed a productive sixteen-year tenure.
Between the 1990–91 and 1995–96 seasons, Philadelphia’s win total decreased annually, reaching a nadir of 18–64 in 1995–96—the franchise’s second-worst record at that point and among the league’s poorest performances behind only expansion teams Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. This season also marked their final year playing at The Spectrum.
Owner Katz, whose popularity had waned due to controversial trades in the mid-1980s, sold the franchise to Comcast Spectacor—a consortium led by Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider and Comcast Corporation—after the 1995–96 season. Snider had controlled The Spectrum since 1971. Pat Croce, previously a trainer for both Flyers and Sixers, assumed the role of team president.
This era is often referred to by fans as "The Dark Ages" because of persistent underperformance. Nevertheless, hope was rekindled when Philadelphia secured the top pick in the 1996 NBA draft lottery and selected Allen Iverson, famously dubbed "the Answer."
1996–2006: The Allen Iverson Era
With new ownership in place, Iverson joining the roster, and relocation to the CoreStates Center, positive momentum began to build. Croce replaced Lucas as coach and general manager, appointing Johnny Davis as head coach and Brad Greenberg as general manager. Iverson earned Rookie of the Year honors despite the team finishing with a disappointing 22–60 record. After the 1996–97 season, both Davis and Greenberg were dismissed; concurrently, new logos and uniforms were introduced to signal a fresh start. Larry Brown was hired as head coach—renowned for his emphasis on defense and ability to revitalize struggling teams. Despite some friction with Iverson, Philadelphia increased their win total to 31 in 1997–98. Early that season, they traded former third overall pick Jerry Stackhouse to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for defensive specialists Aaron McKie and Theo Ratliff. Another significant acquisition was Eric Snow, obtained from the Seattle SuperSonics in January 1998.
Prior to the 1998–99 campaign, Philadelphia added George Lynch and Matt Geiger. The lockout-shortened season consisted of only 50 games. During this period, they acquired Tyrone Hill from Milwaukee via trade. The team showed marked improvement by finishing with a 28–22 record and securing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs—their first postseason appearance since 1991. They upset the Orlando Magic in four games during round one before being swept by the Indiana Pacers. The following year saw them finish with a strong 49–33 record, placing fifth in the East. After defeating the Charlotte Hornets in four games during round one, they again fell to Indiana in six games during round two. Despite these advances, ongoing tension between Iverson and Brown sparked trade rumors involving potential deals with teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and a complex four-team trade with Detroit that ultimately collapsed due to salary cap complications. Once it became clear Iverson would remain with Philadelphia, he reconciled with Brown—paving the way for future success in 2000–01.
2000–2001 season: NBA Finals defeat by the Lakers
The 2000–01 campaign began impressively for the 76ers, who opened with a 10-game winning streak and dominated the Atlantic Division. Larry Brown served as head coach for the Eastern Conference All-Stars, while Allen Iverson earned the All-Star Game MVP honors. Prior to the All-Star break, Theo Ratliff sustained a wrist injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Despite holding a 41–14 record and leading their division, management acquired veteran center Dikembe Mutombo from the Atlanta Hawks at the February 22 trade deadline, sending Ratliff, Nazr Mohammed, Toni Kukoč, and Pepe Sánchez to Atlanta (with Sánchez later rejoining Philadelphia). The team concluded the regular season with a 56–26 record, clinching their first Atlantic Division crown since 1989–90 and securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
In postseason play, Philadelphia overcame Indiana in five games after dropping Game One. They then confronted Toronto and star Vince Carter, prevailing in a narrow Game Seven, 88–87, to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against Milwaukee. Although Iverson missed Game Three due to injury, the 76ers captured Games Four and Five. Milwaukee responded with a win in Game Six, but Iverson’s 46-point performance nearly shifted momentum back to Philadelphia. In the decisive Game Seven, reserve Raja Bell ignited a crucial run, and Iverson’s 44 points led the team to a 108–91 triumph, sending them to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1983.
The Finals pitted Philadelphia against the Los Angeles Lakers—who entered with an undefeated 11–0 playoff record—and despite identical regular-season records, tiebreakers placed Philadelphia on the road first. The 76ers claimed Game One in overtime thanks to Iverson’s clutch three-pointer and memorable step over Tyronn Lue. However, the Lakers captured Games Two through Five to close out the series and earn their second title in a streak of three consecutive championships.
The 2000–01 Philadelphia squad combined an Atlantic Division title with multiple individual honors: NBA MVP (Iverson), Coach of the Year (Brown), Defensive Player of the Year (Mutombo), and Sixth Man of the Year (Aaron McKie).
Larry Brown’s departure
Entering the 2001–02 season with lofty ambitions, the 76ers finished 43–39, placing sixth in the Eastern Conference and falling in the opening playoff round to Boston. In 2002–03, after a strong start followed by a midseason slump, they ended with a 48–34 record as the fourth seed. Iverson scored 55 points in Game One of their playoff series against New Orleans, helping secure a six-game victory. However, Detroit eliminated Philadelphia in a closely contested six-game second-round matchup. The franchise would not advance past a playoff round again for nine years.
On Memorial Day 2003, Larry Brown resigned as head coach to take over Detroit’s team, where he would win the 2004 NBA Championship. After unsuccessful pursuits of Jeff Van Gundy and Eddie Jordan for coaching roles, Philadelphia promoted assistant Randy Ayers; he was dismissed following a 21–31 start. Chris Ford replaced Ayers but could not prevent a disappointing 33–49 finish that ended their six-year playoff streak. Iverson appeared in only 48 games amid injuries and tensions with Ford.
Introduction of Andre Iguodala
During the 2004–05 season, Philadelphia native Jim O'Brien took over as head coach. Allen Iverson shifted back to the point guard position and delivered one of his finest performances, demonstrating enhanced teamwork. To complement Iverson’s scoring, the team brought in Chris Webber from Sacramento. Rookie Andre Iguodala earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team as the 76ers secured a playoff berth with a 43–39 record but were eliminated in five games by Larry Brown’s Pistons.
Although the team experienced success on the court, friction developed among O'Brien, players, and management. Following the season, O'Brien was dismissed and replaced by Maurice Cheeks, a former player and 1983 Philadelphia champion. Nevertheless, the coaching switch failed to yield better results; a challenging March led to a 38–44 record and another absence from the playoffs in 2005–06.
The 2006–07 campaign started strong with a 3–0 run but concluded disappointingly at 35–47, ranking third in the Atlantic Division and ninth in the Eastern Conference. On December 5, 2006, Iverson issued an ultimatum demanding that management either acquire additional support players or trade him, reflecting unrest within the franchise’s leadership.
2006–2016: The Era Following Iverson
On December 19, 2006, Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin were traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Andre Miller, forward Joe Smith, and two first-round draft selections. Shortly after, on January 11, 76ers GM Billy King announced a buyout deal with veteran forward Chris Webber, agreeing to pay him $36 million over one and a half seasons—$7 million less than his original contract—before waiving him. Webber then signed with the Detroit Pistons. These transactions elevated Andre Iguodala to team leader status and potential franchise cornerstone. The team ended that season with a 35–47 record.
In 2007, Philadelphia selected small forward Thaddeus Young with the 12th overall pick in the draft. On December 4, 2007, Ed Stefanski replaced Billy King as general manager after departing from the Nets. Under Iguodala’s leadership, the team clinched a playoff spot on April 4, 2008—their first postseason appearance since 2005 and following Iverson’s departure—before falling to Detroit in six games. Despite an early exit, this season was viewed positively as they overcame a significant deficit below .500.
On July 9, 2008, Philadelphia secured power forward Elton Brand with a five-year contract worth $79.8 million after trading Rodney Carney and declining to re-sign several unrestricted free agents. Brand had opted out of his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers but chose Philadelphia’s "Philly-Max" offer for higher compensation and Eastern Conference championship aspirations amid speculation about a prior arrangement to team up with Baron Davis in L.A. The team also signed veterans Royal Ivey (from Milwaukee), Kareem Rush (from Indiana), Theo Ratliff (returning after Jason Smith’s injury), and Donyell Marshall to strengthen depth. Restricted free agents Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala were retained.
The season began unevenly at 9–14 before Maurice Cheeks was dismissed on December 13; assistant GM Tony DiLeo assumed head coaching duties and guided the team to finish at .500 with a 41–41 record (32–27 under DiLeo). Brand’s campaign was cut short by shoulder surgery. Despite his absence, Philadelphia reached the playoffs but lost in the first round to Orlando after holding a 2–1 series lead. A notable highlight was playing one home game at their former arena, Wachovia Spectrum—defeating the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2009—in what served as a farewell event prior to the venue’s demolition.
Following this playoff defeat, DiLeo returned to an executive role. On June 1, 2009, former Washington Wizards coach Eddie Jordan was appointed head coach. During the off-season of 2009, Philadelphia drafted UCLA point guard Jrue Holiday at number 17 overall and traded power forward Reggie Evans to Toronto in exchange for three-point specialist Jason Kapono. Additionally, the franchise revived its classic logo used from 1977 to 1997 along with updated uniforms and court designs inspired by their iconic 1980s era branding.
Iverson's Short-Lived Comeback
On December 2, 2009, the Philadelphia 76ers brought Iverson back on board with a one-year, prorated $1.3 million contract that was non-guaranteed. At that point, the team held a 5–13 record and had suffered the loss of Williams due to injury. Iverson’s first game back, facing the Denver Nuggets, attracted a full-capacity crowd; he contributed 11 points along with six assists and five rebounds. Nevertheless, his stint was brief—by February 22, Iverson stepped away indefinitely to care for his ailing daughter and did not return for the remainder of the season. The 76ers ended the year at 27–55, marking their first season with over 50 losses since 1998, largely because players struggled to adapt to Eddie Jordan’s Princeton offense. Jordan was dismissed after just one season, becoming the fourth coach fired within a year following Larry Brown’s exit in 2003.
On May 20, 2010, TNT analyst Doug Collins was appointed head coach. A former top draft pick and long-time Sixers player, Collins brought prior NBA coaching experience to the role. The franchise obtained the second overall selection in the 2010 NBA draft and chose Ohio State’s Evan Turner. Despite a sluggish start at 3–13, the team rallied to finish with a balanced 41–41 record, securing a playoff berth—their third in four seasons—before being eliminated by the Miami Heat in five games. Collins earned acclaim for rejuvenating the squad and finished second in Coach of the Year voting.
On July 13, 2011, Comcast-Spectacor reached an agreement to sell the Sixers to an investment consortium led by Apollo Global Management co-founder Josh Harris for $280 million. This ownership group included David Blitzer, Art Wrubel, Jason Levien, Adam Aron, Michael Rubin, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Erick Thohir, among others. Harris retained Collins as head coach and Rod Thorn as president of basketball operations but replaced general manager Ed Stefanski.
The subsequent season began promisingly with a 20–9 record but declined to finish at 35–31 due to offensive difficulties. The team secured its fourth playoff appearance in five years but entered as the eighth seed facing the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. Philadelphia upset Chicago 4–2—marking only the fifth occasion an eighth seed triumphed over a first seed in NBA history—but then fell to the Boston Celtics in seven games amid criticism about lacking a true go-to scorer.
During the 2012 NBA draft, the Sixers selected Maurice Harkless and acquired Arnett Moultrie through trade. They applied their amnesty clause on Elton Brand and traded for Dorell Wright while signing Nick Young and Kwame Brown. Spencer Hawes was re-signed as Lavoy Allen, Williams, and Jodie Meeks departed via free agency. On August 9, 2012, Philadelphia engaged in a four-team trade that sent All-Star Andre Iguodala to Denver and draft picks to Orlando in exchange for Jason Richardson and All-Star center Andrew Bynum.
The 2012–13 campaign started with elevated expectations fueled by Bynum’s arrival and ongoing development of young talent. However, Bynum’s Orthokine knee treatment resulted in complications that necessitated season-ending surgeries on both knees by March. Jason Richardson also required season-ending knee surgery in February. Injuries further impacted Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Nick Young, and Ivey; only Turner and Hawes participated in every game. The Sixers concluded with a disappointing 34–48 record and missed the playoffs for the first time under Collins.
Collins resigned on April 18 citing health issues but stayed on as an adviser. Shortly after, general manager Tony DiLeo departed; Sam Hinkie from the Houston Rockets was named GM on May 11. On July 8, Adam Aron stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Scott O'Neil.
2013–2016: The Era of "The Process"
Following the conclusion of the 2012–13 season, under the leadership of General Manager Sam Hinkie, the Philadelphia 76ers adopted a comprehensive rebuilding approach widely known as "The Process." The initial significant transaction involved sending All-Star Jrue Holiday and a second-round draft selection to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Nerlens Noel and a 2014 first-round pick. Although Noel was sidelined by an ACL injury, this deal marked a commitment to long-term team development. To fill Holiday’s role, the team selected Michael Carter-Williams with the 11th overall pick and also drafted Arsalan Kazemi, notable as the first Iranian player chosen in the NBA draft.
After these moves, numerous veteran players, including Andrew Bynum, exited via waivers or free agency. By January 2014, only six players from the previous roster remained on the team. The February 2014 trade deadline saw further departures of key contributors such as Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner, and Lavoy Allen, underscoring a strategy focused on cultivating young talent.
The season began with a promising 3–0 start but soon deteriorated into a franchise-record 26-game losing streak, tying the NBA’s single-season losing streak record. The organization faced scrutiny over allegations of deliberately losing games to improve draft lottery positioning. Ultimately, the Sixers posted a 19–63 record—ranking as the third-worst in franchise history but still outperforming several other league teams.
Michael Carter-Williams distinguished himself by leading all rookies in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals—a rare achievement only previously accomplished by Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson—earning him the Rookie of the Year award.
In the 2014 NBA Draft, Philadelphia selected Joel Embiid with the third overall pick and acquired Croatian prospect Dario Šarić. Both players were viewed as long-term investments due to injury concerns and international commitments. Additional promising talent was added in the second round with selections like K.J. McDaniels and Jerami Grant.
During the offseason, Thaddeus Young was traded to Minnesota as part of a package connected to acquiring Kevin Love’s draft rights, bringing back a future first-round pick along with role players Luc Mbah a Moute and Alexey Shved. By November 2014, the Sixers had set a franchise record with an 0–16 start but avoided tying the NBA’s worst season start by securing their first victory against Minnesota.
In September 2016, a new training facility was inaugurated in Camden, New Jersey. At the 2015 trade deadline, Philadelphia exchanged Carter-Williams and McDaniels for JaVale McGee, Isaiah Canaan, and three draft picks, including a protected first-round selection from the Los Angeles Lakers. That season concluded with an 18–64 record.
With the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, Duke center Jahlil Okafor was chosen alongside late selection JP Tokoto. The team endured an unprecedented losing streak extending to 27 consecutive games into November 2015—the longest in professional sports history—though they also set a franchise record by making 16 three-pointers in one game during that stretch. On December 1, they ended an NBA-record run of 28 straight losses that dated back to the previous season.
On December 8, Jerry Colangelo was appointed Special Advisor and Chairman of Basketball Operations to assist with rebuilding initiatives. Shortly thereafter, Philadelphia acquired point guard Ish Smith by trading two second-round picks.
Despite these organizational adjustments, by March 1, 2016, holding an 8–51 record, the Sixers missed postseason play for a fourth straight year and finished with a franchise-low record of 10–72.
2016–2017: Inaugural season
On April 6, 2016, Sam Hinkie stepped down through a comprehensive resignation letter. Four days later, Bryan Colangelo, son of Jerry Colangelo, was appointed as president of basketball operations. The 76ers secured the top selection in the NBA Draft Lottery, holding a 25% probability.
Following the conclusion of the 2015–16 NBA season, on June 23, 2016, the team used their first overall pick to draft LSU point forward Ben Simmons. Additionally, they selected French guard Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot at 24th and Turkish guard Furkan Korkmaz at 26th. This draft represented a significant shift after three seasons of limited competitiveness, marking the franchise's first number one overall pick since choosing Allen Iverson in 1996. The Sixers would later acquire another first overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, selecting Markelle Fultz.
2017–2018: Playoff resurgence
The 2017–18 campaign became Philadelphia’s most fruitful since the 2011–12 season, finishing third in the Eastern Conference with a 52–30 record and clinching a postseason berth. The team set a new franchise milestone with a 16-game winning streak. In the first round of the playoffs, Philadelphia overcame the Miami Heat in five games, capturing their first playoff series victory since 2011–12.
2018–2019: The Jimmy Butler chapter
Amid controversy involving fake Twitter accounts, the organization parted ways with general manager Bryan Colangelo on June 7, 2018. Subsequently, Elton Brand was elevated to general manager on September 18, 2018.
On November 12, 2018, Philadelphia executed a trade sending Dario Šarić, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton.
Then, on February 6, 2019, the Sixers acquired forward Tobias Harris, along with Boban Marjanović and Mike Scott, from the Los Angeles Clippers. In return, they traded Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet, plus several draft selections. Philadelphia secured the third seed and defeated the Brooklyn Nets in five games during the first playoff round. However, they fell to the second-seeded Toronto Raptors in a seven-game series in the conference semifinals following Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater in Game 7.
During the offseason, Jimmy Butler departed for the Miami Heat via sign-and-trade, bringing Josh Richardson to Philadelphia. The team also added veteran Al Horford to their roster.
On November 25, 2019, Philadelphia became the first NBA franchise to establish a sports betting partnership with Fox Bet—a collaboration between online gambling operator The Stars Group and broadcaster Fox Sports—leveraging regulatory changes after the 2018 US Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal betting prohibition.
2020–2022
Heading into the season, expectations positioned the Sixers as championship contenders, particularly with Kawhi Leonard no longer in their conference. Despite struggling significantly on the road with one of the league’s poorest away records, their dominant home performance—losing just twice—kept them competitive for playoff positioning.
Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season, Philadelphia was among 22 teams invited to participate in the NBA Bubble for the final eight regular-season games. Entering as the sixth seed—tied with Indiana but losing out on tiebreakers—the Sixers concluded regular season play in sixth place, a decline from previous years. They were swept by the Boston Celtics in four games during the opening playoff round, leading to head coach Brett Brown’s dismissal on August 24, 2020.
On October 3, 2020, Philadelphia hired Doc Rivers as head coach. Shortly thereafter on November 2, they named Daryl Morey president of basketball operations. The team finished with a 49–23 record and captured first place in the Eastern Conference along with their first division title in two decades. They defeated the Washington Wizards in five games but were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in seven games during the Conference Semifinals. Franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid finished as runner-up for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the 2020–21 season behind Nikola Jokić.
Following their Game 7 defeat to Atlanta—highlighted by controversy when Ben Simmons declined an open dunk attempt—Simmons requested a trade and refused to participate in training camp. The Sixers imposed fines exceeding $19 million for conduct detrimental to the team.
2022–2024
On February 10, 2022, the Philadelphia 76ers completed a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring James Harden and Paul Millsap in exchange for Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, Seth Curry, and two first-round draft selections. The team concluded the 2021–22 season with a 51–31 record, spearheaded by Joel Embiid, Harden, and second-year guard Tyrese Maxey. Embiid earned the scoring title by averaging 30.6 points per game and finished as the runner-up in the MVP voting behind Nikola Jokić.
On June 24, the Sixers sent Danny Green and the 23rd overall draft pick (David Roddy) to obtain De'Anthony Melton. Additionally, through a four-team deal, they brought in Jalen McDaniels while trading perimeter defender Matisse Thybulle to the Portland Trail Blazers. During the 2022–23 season, Philadelphia secured a playoff berth on March 21 and ended with a 54–28 record, earning the third seed. After sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in the first round, they were eliminated in seven games by the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals. Joel Embiid was honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Following the season, on May 16, 2023, head coach Doc Rivers was relieved of his duties and replaced by Nick Nurse on June 1. The Sixers traded Harden, P. J. Tucker, and Filip Petrušev to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Robert Covington, and Nicolas Batum. The subsequent season began strongly with a 29–13 record securing second place in the Eastern Conference before Embiid suffered a lateral meniscus tear; he made his return on March 5. During his absence, Philadelphia dropped to eighth seed while Tyrese Maxey received his inaugural All-Star nod. Ultimately, they finished seventh at 47–35, won their Play-In game against the Miami Heat, but were ousted in six games by the New York Knicks in the opening playoff round.
2024–present: Arrival of Paul George
In the 2024 offseason, Philadelphia signed Paul George to a four-year maximum contract. The team also re-signed veteran guard Kyle Lowry and added experienced shooter Eric Gordon. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris departed via free agency to join the Detroit Pistons.
1963–1978
The initial Philadelphia 76ers emblem showcased a stylized red "7" alongside a blue "6", accompanied by 13 blue stars symbolizing the original American colonies. Throughout this period, the franchise experimented with various uniform styles.
Early uniforms featured "PHILA" prominently on the chest with "76" encircled by stars displayed on the shorts. The road kits utilized solid red lettering on blue backgrounds while home jerseys were white with red accents.
During the 1965–66 campaign, a two-tone design was introduced featuring a broad red stripe on white home uniforms and red tops paired with blue shorts for away games; however, players expressed dissatisfaction leading to its discontinuation after just one season.
Beginning in 1966–67, a simplified design returned incorporating red block "PHILA" lettering above player numbers and replacing logos with modest side stripes. The team transitioned from blue road uniforms back to red in 1968.
The 1970–71 season brought alterations including blue letters outlined in white on red jerseys and a cursive "Seventy Sixers" script used solely on white uniforms for that year.
By 1971–72, blue road uniforms were reinstated featuring "Sixers" rendered in Art Deco-inspired lettering instead of "PHILA." Uniform numbers and side stripes contrasted with base colors while stars adorned each side of the jersey. Throughout the mid-1970s, minor adjustments involved changes to block lettering styles and adoption of Bookman Old Style fonts.
1978–1997
In 1977, the Sixers refreshed their logo by incorporating a white basketball outlined in blue, accompanied by the suffix "-ers" in blue to complete the team’s name. The 1978–79 season marked a return to a simpler uniform style reminiscent of the late 1960s, removing side stripes and adding the team emblem on the right leg. The away jersey reverted to a red base with block-style numbers.
Ahead of the 1991–92 season, the Sixers unveiled a striking new uniform that featured a blue wave accented with red, white, and blue stars. The word "Sixers" appeared in Helvetica font above the wave, with "Philadelphia" positioned above the team name. The numbers displayed drop shadows for added depth. After three seasons, the 1994–95 redesign embraced a more traditional aesthetic, showcasing wide blue stripes bordered by thin red or white lines, rounded lettering, and blue numbers highlighted with contrasting trim. The white uniform displayed "Sixers" in red with white and blue outlines.
1997–2009
During the 1997–98 season, the Sixers overhauled their logo and color palette to appeal to a younger audience influenced by hip-hop culture. While maintaining red, white, and blue as accent colors, black, silver, and gold became dominant hues. The revamped logo presented "76ers" in gold lettering with a silver star embedded inside the number 7 and a streaking basketball beneath.
The black road jerseys largely remained unchanged, featuring white letters trimmed in red. Initially, the white home uniforms had gold "Sixers" lettering which switched to black in 2000; that same year saw the removal of black backgrounds and red outlines from the logo. A blue alternate uniform was introduced in 2000 with white letters trimmed in red; however, arm piping was eliminated after just one season. Every uniform incorporated a gold star at the neckline, an alternate "streaking 76" emblem on the shorts, and a "Sixers" wordmark mirroring the primary logo with a silver star atop the letter "I."
In 2006, the blue alternate was replaced by a red version that reintroduced the "PHILA" logo for the first time since 1971. This wordmark matched the style of the team logo with a silver star over the "I," complemented by white numbers outlined in black and silver stars on necklines paired with blue and white striping. Minor adjustments were made in 2007 to both black and white uniforms to synchronize striping patterns with those on the red alternate while retaining silver stars.
2009–2015
The 1977–97 Sixers logo was brought back during the 2008–09 season to celebrate the franchise’s 60th anniversary, followed by an updated version featuring a red square containing ‘Philadelphia’ within a blue rectangle. The white jerseys displayed "Sixers" in bold blue block letters with red numbers, whereas the red jerseys featured white lettering. In 2011, a blue alternate uniform was launched and later became the primary road attire after 2013. All designs included subtle striping along sleeves and pant legs.
2015–present
For the 2015–16 season, an updated classic logo was introduced featuring a tilted white basketball encircled by a roundel containing the city name and six stars. Additionally, a secondary “Dribbling Ben Franklin” logo was unveiled.
The home white and away blue uniforms sported the 'PHILA' wordmark as an homage to late-1960s styles, while red alternates utilized the 'SIXERS' wordmark inspired by designs from the 1980s. Side stripes adorned with stars and shoulder piping referenced design elements from the 1970s and 1980s respectively. Each uniform bore ‘PHILA TOUGH’ inscribed near its bottom edge.
Following Nike’s takeover in 2017, subtle modifications were made including red drop shadows on lettering for both the blue “Icon” and white “Association” uniforms; ‘Brotherly Love’ replaced ‘PHILA TOUGH’ near the manufacturer’s tag. The new red “Statement” uniform featured a script “Sixers” wordmark with off-center numbers accented by blue drop shadows. Prior to the 2019–20 season, red uniforms were refreshed to showcase a scripted “Phila” wordmark.
City and Earned Uniforms
The inaugural "City" uniform introduced by the team showcased elaborate "Phila" lettering, blue numerals accented with red drop shadows, and design motifs inspired by the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence. Their subsequent "City" edition drew inspiration from the 1976 film Rocky, featuring thirteen stars symbolizing the Thirteen Colonies, thereby connecting the design to the movie’s release year.
Securing a playoff berth in 2018 granted the Sixers an "Earned" uniform for the 2018–19 season. This version resembled the Rocky-themed "City" jersey but utilized a white base complemented by blue lettering and stars.
The 2019–20 "City" uniform paid homage to the Liberty Bell, incorporating an ornate "Philadelphia" script, red serif numbers, and a gold bell silhouette positioned on the beltline. The 2020–21 design honored Allen Iverson's tenure and Boathouse Row, featuring a black foundation highlighted with red, blue, and white elements; the Boathouse Row graphic was placed above "Philadelphia," with numbers displayed on the left chest.
In 2021, the "Earned" uniform presented a blue Liberty Bell silhouette set against a white backdrop, with white numbers centered on the jersey.
Marking the NBA’s 75th anniversary, the 2021–22 "City" uniform blended past design elements ("Mixtape"), showcasing a navy base paired with red lettering reminiscent of 1972–77 uniforms. Color blocks on each side paid tribute to the Spectrum arena and Philadelphia’s four major sports franchises: red representing the Phillies, orange for the Flyers, green symbolizing the Eagles, and blue for the Sixers. The Spectrum logo appeared on the shorts, featuring its distinctive "S" on the waistband.
The 2022–23 "City" uniform highlighted Philadelphia’s Greek translation of "City of Brotherly Love," depicted in red text and striping over a white base trimmed in blue, reflecting basketball culture throughout all levels within the city.
Continuing with the "City of Brotherly Love" theme for 2023–24, the Sixers incorporated neon sign-style lettering inspired by Reading Terminal Market, set against a navy background. The design also included a thirteen-star circle, Liberty Bell silhouette, and a "Bicentennial 76" emblem.
For 2024–25, the "City" uniform revisited elements from the 2021–22 edition but featured a white base with blue numerals.
Franklin the Dog
On February 10, 2015, Franklin the Dog was unveiled as the new mascot of the Philadelphia 76ers before an audience of 400 fans and media representatives at The Franklin Institute. Following his debut during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, Franklin made his first appearance at the Wells Fargo Center on February 19, 2015.
During the 1980s, Big Shot served as the team's mascot. He was later succeeded by Hip Hop, a rabbit character known for performing slam dunks during timeouts and halftime shows. Hip Hop was retired following the 2011 lockout and did not return thereafter.
Boston Celtics
The competition between the Sixers and Celtics represents the NBA’s longest-standing and most frequent playoff rivalry, having met in nineteen series; Boston holds twelve victories.[1] This rivalry is considered second only to the famed Celtics–Lakers rivalry in prominence.[2]
Its intensity reached its peak during clashes between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell from 1965 through 1968. The 1966–67 Sixers squad—regarded as one of NBA history’s finest—secured a then-record 68 wins and ended Boston’s eight-year championship dominance.
After undergoing rebuilding in the early 1970s, Philadelphia reemerged as a contender during the 1976–77 season, defeating Boston en route to reaching the Finals. Throughout much of the 1980s, every Eastern Conference Championship series from 1980 to 1987 featured at least one of these teams: Larry Bird’s Celtics claimed five titles while Julius Erving’s Sixers won three. Later on, Charles Barkley led Philadelphia in challenging Boston; however, both franchises experienced decline during much of the 1990s.
The rivalry saw resurgence in the 2000s with two significant playoff encounters: in 2002, Allen Iverson’s defending Eastern Conference champion Sixers fell to Paul Pierce’s Celtics; ten years later, Boston’s “Big Three” (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen) overcame an eighth-seeded Philadelphia squad. Between these periods, Boston secured a championship and maintained competitiveness while Philadelphia struggled to achieve similar success. A notable regular-season contest in 2006 featured Iverson leading a triple-overtime victory against Boston by a score of 125–124.
Season-by-season performance
Summary of the 76ers’ most recent five completed seasons. For a comprehensive overview, refer to List of Philadelphia 76ers seasons.
Key: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Win percentage
| Season | GP | W | L | W–L% | Standing | Playoff outcome |
| 2020–21 | 72 | 49 | 23 | Template:Winning percentage | 1st in Atlantic Division | Eliminated in conference semifinals, 3–4 (Hawks) |
| 2021–22 | 82 | 51 | 31 | Template:Winning percentage | 2nd in Atlantic Division | Exited in conference semifinals, 2–4 (Heat) |
| 2022–23 | 82 | 54 | 28 | Template:Winning percentage | 2nd in Atlantic Division | Defeated in conference semifinals, 3–4 (Celtics) |
| 2023–24 | 82 | 47 | 35 | Template:Winning percentage | 3rd in Atlantic Division | Lost in first round, 2–4 (Knicks) |
| 2024–25 | 82 | 24 | 58 | Template:Winning percentage | 5th in Atlantic Division | Did not make playoffs |
Home venues
- State Fair Coliseum (1946–1951)
- Onondaga County War Memorial (1951–1963)
- Convention Hall and Philadelphia Arena (1963–1967)
- The Spectrum (1967–1996)
- Wells Fargo Center (1996–present)
Training center
The franchise’s training and basketball operations are based at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex located in Camden, New Jersey. This advanced facility, which opened in September 2016 following a 2014 announcement, encompasses roughly 120,000 square feet and highlights the organization’s commitment to player development and operational efficiency.
Prior to this, team practices took place at the campus of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Upcoming arena
In July 2022, the organization revealed intentions to construct a $1.3 billion privately financed arena named 76 Place in Center City, Philadelphia. However, by January 2025, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owners of the 76ers, along with Comcast Spectacor, proprietors of the Philadelphia Flyers, agreed on a joint project to build a new shared facility within the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. This new arena is planned for completion and opening by 2031.
Draft rights retained
The Philadelphia 76ers maintain NBA draft rights over unsigned players currently competing internationally or outside the NBA system. These rights include those obtained through trades and remain valid until one year after the player’s contract with their non-NBA team concludes.
| style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Draft Year | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Round | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Pick | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Player Name | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Position | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Nationality | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Current Team | style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Remarks | class="unsortable" style="Template:NBA color cell;" |Reference |
|---|
Retired jerseys
Every retired jersey is displayed prominently in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center.
| colspan="5" style="Template:NBA color cell;"|Philadelphia 76ers honored retired numbers | ||||
| style="Template:NBA color cell2;"|Number | style="Template:NBA color cell2;"|Player | style="Template:NBA color cell2;"|Role | style="Template:NBA color cell2;"|Years Active | style="Template:NBA color cell2;"|Retirement Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Moses Malone | Center | 1982–1986, 1993–1994 | February 8, 2019 |
| 3 | Allen Iverson | Guard | 1996–2006, 2009–2010 | March 1, 2014 |
| 4 | Dolph Schayes | Forward/Center | 1948–196412 | March 12, 2016 |
| 63 | Julius Erving | Forward | 1976–1987 | April 18, 1988 |
| 10 | Maurice Cheeks | Guard | 1978–19894 | February 6, 1995 |
| 13 | Wilt Chamberlain | Center | 1965–19685 | March 18, 1991 |
| 15 | Hal Greer | Guard | 1958–19736 | November 19, 1976 |
| 24 | Bobby Jones | Forward | 1978–1986 | November 7, 1986 |
| 32 | Billy Cunningham | Forward | 1965–1972,1974–19767 | December 17, 1976 |
| 34 | Charles Barkley | Forward | 1984–1992 | March 30, 2001 |
| — | Dave Zinkoff | Public-address announcer | 1963–19858 | March 25,1986 |
Notes:
- 1 Also served as player-coach from 1963 to 1966.
- 2 Number worn by Nerlens Noel during his tenure (2013–2017).
- 3 This number is also retired league-wide in tribute to Bill Russell (August 11,2022).
- 4 Served as head coach between 2005 and 2008.
- 5 Philadelphia native who also played for Philadelphia Warriors (1959–1962).
- 6 Previously played in Syracuse before joining Philadelphia.
- 7 Later became head coach from 1977 to 1985.
- 8 Also announcer for Philadelphia Warriors from 1946 to 1962.
Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees
| colspan="10" style="Template:NBA color cell;"|Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Hall of Fame Members | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="10" style="text-align:center; Template:NBA color cell2;"|Players | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number | Name | Position | Years Active | Induction Year | Number | Name | Position | Years Active | Induction Year | ||||||||||
| 4 8 55 |
Dolph Schayes 1 | Forward/Center | 1948–1964 | 1973 | 13 | Wilt Chamberlain | Center | 1965–1968 | 1979 | ||||||||||
| 15 | Hal Greer | Guard/Forward | 1958–1973 | 1982 | 15 | Al Cervi 2 | Forward/Guard | 1948–1953 | 1985 | ||||||||||
| 32 | Billy Cunningham 3 | Forward/Center | 1965–1972 1974–1976 |
1986 | 6 | Julius Erving | Forward | 1976–1987 | 1993 | ||||||||||
| 12 | George Yardley | Forward/Guard | 1959–1960 | 1996 | 16 | Bailey Howell | Forward/Guard | 1970–1971 | 1997 | ||||||||||
| 11 | Bob McAdoo | Forward/Center | 1986 | 2000 | 2 | Moses Malone | Center/Forward | 1982–1986 1993–1994 |
2001 | ||||||||||
| 32 34 |
Charles Barkley 4 | Forward/Guard | 1984–1992 | 2006 | 25 | Chet Walker | Forward | 1962–1969 | 2012 | ||||||||||
| 55 | Dikembe Mutombo | Center | 2001–2002 | 2015 | 3 | Allen Iverson | Guard | 1996–2006 2009–2010 |
2016 | ||||||||||
| 30 | George McGinnis | Forward | 1975–1978 | 2017 | 10 | Maurice Cheeks 5 | Guard | 1978–1989 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| 24 | Bobby Jones | Forward | 1978–1986 | 2019 | 7 | Toni Kukoč | Forward | 2000–2001 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| '4' | Chris Webber | Forward | 2005–2007 | 2021 | '5' | Dick Barnett | Guard | 1959-1961 | 2024 |
! colspan="10" style="text-align:center; Template:NBA color cell2;" |Coaches |} ! colspan="2"|Name !! Role !! Years Active !! Induction Year !! colspan="2"|Name !! Role !! Years Active !! Induction Year |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |} |}
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