The 1976-77 Philadelphia 76ers had a transformative season, marked by the acquisition of Julius Erving, which immediately elevated the team’s performance. Under head coach Gene Shue, the 76ers finished the regular season with a 50-32 record, securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Erving, alongside George McGinnis and Doug Collins, formed a formidable trio that proved difficult for opponents to handle.
In the playoffs, the 76ers advanced past the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, reaching the NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite winning the first two games of the series, Philadelphia could not sustain their momentum, eventually falling to Bill Walton’s Blazers in six games. The season, though ending in disappointment, laid the foundation for future success and proved pivotal in establishing the 76ers as a strong contender in the NBA. This season is often remembered for bringing Dr. J’s electrifying style to the NBA stage.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 2-4
Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats for 1976-77 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Julius Erving | 82 | 21.6 | 8.5 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 19 | 27.3 | 6.4 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| George McGinnis | 79 | 21.4 | 11.5 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 19 | 14.2 | 10.4 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Doug Collins | 58 | 18.3 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 19 | 22.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| World B. Free | 78 | 16.3 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 15 | 11.9 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Steve Mix | 75 | 10.5 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 19 | 7.8 | 3.4 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Henry Bibby | 81 | 10.2 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 19 | 11.1 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Fred Carter | 14 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Caldwell Jones | 82 | 6.0 | 8.1 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 19 | 4.8 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Darryl Dawkins | 59 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 18 | 7.3 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Mike Dunleavy | 32 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 11 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Joe Bryant | 61 | 4.4 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 10 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Jim Barnett | 16 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Harvey Catchings | 53 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Terry Furlow | 32 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 5 | 3.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1977 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers showcased their prowess in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by defeating the Boston Celtics in a highly competitive series. The 76ers, led by Julius Erving, utilized their dynamic offense and strong team chemistry to overcome the Celtics in a decisive Game 7, securing their place in the Eastern Conference Finals. This victory highlighted the 76ers' resilience and set the stage for their eventual run to the NBA Finals that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 113-111 | |
| Apr 20, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 113-101 | |
| Apr 22, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | W 109-100 | |
| Apr 24, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 124-119 | |
| Apr 27, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 110-91 | |
| Apr 29, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 113-108 | |
| May 01, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 83-77 |
1977 Conference Championship vs. Houston Rockets
In the 1977 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers showcased their dynamic roster in the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Houston Rockets in six games. Led by Julius Erving's electrifying performances, the Sixers' blend of athleticism and skill overwhelmed their opponents, earning them a spot in the NBA Finals. This run marked a significant moment for the team, as they vied for their first championship since the franchise's relocation to Philadelphia.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 128-117 | |
| May 08, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 106-97 | |
| May 11, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 118-94 | |
| May 13, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | W 107-95 | |
| May 15, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 118-115 | |
| May 17, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | W 112-109 |
1977 NBA Finals vs. Portland Trail Blazers
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-101 | |
| May 26, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-89 | |
| May 29, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 129-107 | |
| May 31, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 130-98 | |
| Jun 03, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 110-104 | |
| Jun 05, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-107 |
Philadelphia 76ers 1976-77 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1976-77 season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 1976 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 121-118 | |
| Oct 23, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 108-105 | |
| Oct 26, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 111-101 | |
| Oct 27, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | W 116-94 | |
| Oct 30, 1976 | vs. New York Nets | W 104-80 | |
| Nov 04, 1976 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 101-96 | |
| Nov 05, 1976 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 146-104 | |
| Nov 07, 1976 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-91 | |
| Nov 10, 1976 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 103-88 | |
| Nov 12, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 143-104 | |
| Nov 13, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | W 114-109 | |
| Nov 17, 1976 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 123-117 | |
| Nov 19, 1976 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 100-95 | |
| Nov 20, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 123-106 | |
| Nov 23, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 116-102 | |
| Nov 24, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-117 | |
| Nov 26, 1976 | vs. New York Knicks | W 114-103 | |
| Nov 27, 1976 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 111-104 | |
| Nov 28, 1976 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 101-89 | |
| Dec 01, 1976 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 114-102 | |
| Dec 03, 1976 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-112 | |
| Dec 08, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 123-102 | |
| Dec 11, 1976 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 108-107 | |
| Dec 12, 1976 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 107-102 | |
| Dec 14, 1976 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-88 | |
| Dec 15, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 97-87 | |
| Dec 17, 1976 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 117-114 | |
| Dec 18, 1976 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 97-93 | |
| Dec 21, 1976 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 108-94 | |
| Dec 25, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | W 105-104 | |
| Dec 28, 1976 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 127-116 | |
| Dec 29, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | L 93-91 | |
| Jan 02, 1977 | @ New York Nets | W 139-110 | |
| Jan 05, 1977 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-94 | |
| Jan 07, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 116-96 | |
| Jan 08, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-106 | |
| Jan 11, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 117-115 | |
| Jan 12, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 102-97 | |
| Jan 14, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 111-106 | |
| Jan 16, 1977 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 97-76 | |
| Jan 19, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 114-94 | |
| Jan 22, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 109-94 | |
| Jan 23, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | W 91-83 | |
| Jan 27, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 111-94 | |
| Jan 28, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-104 | |
| Jan 30, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 107-101 | |
| Feb 01, 1977 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-109 | |
| Feb 02, 1977 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 138-116 | |
| Feb 04, 1977 | vs. New York Nets | L 113-112 | |
| Feb 06, 1977 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 102-97 | |
| Feb 08, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 99-89 | |
| Feb 09, 1977 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 107-104 | |
| Feb 11, 1977 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 118-109 | |
| Feb 16, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 117-113 | |
| Feb 18, 1977 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 102-96 | |
| Feb 20, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 112-111 | |
| Feb 25, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-102 | |
| Feb 27, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 93-85 | |
| Mar 01, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 108-107 | |
| Mar 03, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 121-119 | |
| Mar 05, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | W 117-114 | |
| Mar 06, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | L 110-102 | |
| Mar 08, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 99-98 | |
| Mar 09, 1977 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 129-125 | |
| Mar 11, 1977 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 126-122 | |
| Mar 13, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 106-102 | |
| Mar 15, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 133-102 | |
| Mar 16, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 109-100 | |
| Mar 18, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 124-104 | |
| Mar 20, 1977 | @ New York Nets | W 111-104 | |
| Mar 23, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 128-120 | |
| Mar 25, 1977 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 113-110 | |
| Mar 27, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 128-116 | |
| Mar 29, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 119-113 | |
| Mar 30, 1977 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 115-112 | |
| Apr 01, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 111-105 | |
| Apr 03, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-90 | |
| Apr 05, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 119-109 | |
| Apr 06, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 131-109 | |
| Apr 08, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 116-112 | |
| Apr 09, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 125-93 | |
| Apr 10, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 131-121 |