Formerly known as Syracuse Nationals from 1946 to 1963, the franchise relocated to Philadelphia and was renamed as the 76ers. As one of the oldest members of the NBA, the 76ers are known for their rich basketball history, with a legacy of talented players.
Throughout their history, several legends including Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley have suited up for the Sixers. They have led the franchise in different eras to new heights and have solidified the status of the franchise. They had early playoff success, making 21 consecutive playoffs appearances from 1950 to 1971, winning two titles in that time frame.
In 1976, 76ers bought Julius Erving for $3 million from the New York Nets, which turned out to be a bargain. He led the franchise to their first Finals appearance in 1977, and the second in 1980, winning the MVP in 1981. He was later joined by the reigning MVP of 1982, Moses Malone, who formed a dynamic duo with Erving. The duo led the 76ers to its first NBA title since 1967.
After Julius Erving retired, Charles Brkley became the franchise player, making several All-Star and All-NBA teams. In 1996, 76ers selected Allen Iverson with the first overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. His ball-handling, dribbling and layups were one of the best in the game, winning the MVP in 2001. He led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals, unfortunately facing the duo of prime Shaq and Kobe, the 76ers lost in five games.
How many championships have the Philadelphia 76ers won?
The Philadelphia 76ers have won three NBA championships. Their first triumph came in 1955, when they were known as the Syracuse Nationals. They defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in a thrilling seven-game series.
In 1967, the 76ers captured their second title, this time under the Philadelphia banner. Led by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, they defeated the San Francisco Warriors in six games.
The 76ers' most recent championship triumph occurred in 1983, fueled by the dynamic duo of Julius Erving and Moses Malone. They overcame the Los Angeles Lakers in a memorable Finals series, avenging their 1980 and 1982 Finals losses.
| TeamName | Against | HeadCoach | FinalsDate/Year | Venue | Finals Score |
| Syracuse Nationals | Fort Wayne Pistons | Al Cervi | March 31, 1955 | Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse | 4-3 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | San Francisco Warriors | Alex Hannum | April 14, 1967 | Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia | 4-2 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Los Angeles Lakers | Billy Cunningham | May 22, 1983 | Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia | 4-0 |
Philadelphia 76ers Finals Appearance History
The Philadelphia 76ers have made a total of nine appearances in the NBA Finals, fourth most in NBA history.
The Syracuse Nationals, now the 76ers, reached the NBA Finals twice in 1950 and 1954. They clinched their first championship in 1955 against the Fort Wayne Pistons.
The Philadelphia 76ers made seven Finals appearances in 1967, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, and 2001. They secured titles in 1967 against the San Francisco Warriors and in 1983 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Year | HeadCoach | Against | Venue | Result |
| 1949 | Al Cervi | Minneapolis Lakers | Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse | 2-4 |
| 1954 | Al Cervi | Minneapolis Lakers | Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse | 3-4 |
| 1955 | Al Cervi | Fort Wayne Pistons | Onondaga County War Memorial, Syracuse | 4-3 |
| 1967 | Alex Hannum | San Francisco Warriors | Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia | 4-2 |
| 1977 | Billy Cunningham | Portland Trail Blazers | Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia | 2-4 |
| 1980 | Billy Cunningham | Los Angeles Lakers | Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia | 2-4 |
| 1982 | Billy Cunningham | Los Angeles Lakers | Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia | 2-4 |
| 1983 | Billy Cunningham | Los Angeles Lakers | Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia | 4-0 |
| 2001 | Larry Brown | Los Angeles Lakers | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia | 1-4 |
What teams did the Philadelphia 76ers lose the Championship Finals against?
The Philadelphia 76ers have lost four NBA Finals. They lost three NBA Finals in six years, two of them came against the Showtime Lakers led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. They lost in 1980 and 1982, both in six games. Magic Johnson became the youngest ever Finals MVP in the 1980s NBA Finals.
The Sixers’ first NBA Finals loss came in 1977, against the Portland Trail Blazers in six games. The 76ers initially held a 2-0 series lead and seemed poised to secure their third championship. However, Bill Walton's four consecutive double-doubles, helped the TrailBlazers win four consecutive games to close out the series.
Their fourth loss in the NBA Finals came in 2001, against the Lakers. They lost in five games to the superstar duo of Shaq and Kobe. Allen Iverson led the 76ers on the offensive end, averaging 35.6 points. This makes him the ninth ranked all time in most NBA Finals points per game in a single series.
Philadelphia 76ers Last Finals Appearance
Philadelphia 76ers last final appearance came in 2001, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
In Game 1, the 76ers took the victory in overtime, Allen Iverson scored 48 points and led the 76ers and Dikembe Mutombo's defensive presence was also crucial in securing the victory.They defeated the Lakers 107-101, to take the series lead.
In Game 2, the 76ers fell short as the Lakers bounced back to tie the series. The duo of Shaq and Kobe combined for 59 points in their 98-89 victory.
In Game 3, the Lakers won on the road by 96-91. Shaq led the Lakers with 30 points and 12 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant added 32 points. Allen Iverson scored 35 points for the 76ers, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lakers' dominance.
In Game 4, the 76ers had no answers for Shaq, he went on to score 34 points with 14 rebounds. Ultimately, the Lakers defeated the 76ers by 100-86, Iverson led the 76ers with 35 points once again.
In Game 5, the 76ers struggled to match the overall firepower and depth of the Los Angeles Lakers. They lost the game 108-96, despite Allen Iverson’s 37 points. Kobe and Shaq, both scored a double-double to close out the series and win their second consecutive title.
FAQ's On Philadelphia 76ers Finals Appearances
A. The Philadelphia 76ers have appeared in the NBA Finals seven times — 1955, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983 and 2001.
A. The Philadelphia 76ers have won three NBA Finals. They won in 1955, 1967 and 1983.
A. The Philadelphia 76ers have lost four finals, three of them came against the Los Angeles Lakers and one against the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977.
A. Magic Johnson is the youngest Finals MVP ever, winning the award in his rookie season.
