The 1979-80 Philadelphia 76ers season was marked by strong performances and significant team dynamics. The team finished with a 59-23 record, securing the Atlantic Division title under head coach Billy Cunningham. Julius Erving was a standout player, leading the team with his scoring prowess and earning NBA MVP honors. The roster also featured key contributions from players like Darryl Dawkins and Doug Collins, who provided depth and skill crucial to their success.
In the postseason, the 76ers advanced to the NBA Finals, overcoming the Washington Bullets and Atlanta Hawks in the earlier rounds. They faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals, a series highlighted by Magic Johnson’s historic performance in Game 6. The 76ers ultimately fell to the Lakers, losing the series 4-2. Despite the loss, the season was a testament to the 76ers’ competitiveness and set the stage for future successes in the early 1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 59-23
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 2-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 2-4
Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats for 1979-80 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Julius Erving | 78 | 26.9 | 7.4 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 21.1 | 18 | 24.4 | 7.6 | 4.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 22.2 |
| Darryl Dawkins | 80 | 14.7 | 8.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 18 | 17.3 | 7.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
| Doug Collins | 36 | 13.8 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bobby Jones | 81 | 13.0 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 18 | 12.9 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.0 |
| Lionel Hollins | 27 | 12.2 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 18 | 13.8 | 3.9 | 6.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Steve Mix | 81 | 11.6 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 40.0 | 17 | 6.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Maurice Cheeks | 79 | 11.4 | 3.5 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 44.4 | 18 | 11.6 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 20.0 |
| Henry Bibby | 82 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 22.0 | 18 | 7.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 38.5 |
| Caldwell Jones | 80 | 7.4 | 11.9 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 8.8 | 10.3 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Clint Richardson | 52 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 33.3 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eric Money | 6 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Spanarkel | 40 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bernard Toone | 23 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 16.7 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Al Skinner | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Washington Bullets
In the first round of the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Washington Bullets. The Sixers, led by the dynamic Julius Erving, dominated the series and advanced with a convincing 2-0 sweep, showcasing their high-powered offense and setting the stage for a deep playoff run. Their performance underscored their status as one of the league's elite teams that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 02, 1980 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 111-96 | |
| Apr 04, 1980 | @ Washington Bullets | W 112-104 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers faced the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they dominated the series, winning 4-1. Led by Julius Erving's exceptional performances, the 76ers showcased their depth and skill, effectively setting the stage for their eventual run to the NBA Finals. Their strong defensive play and dynamic offense were instrumental in overpowering the Hawks, proving their status as championship contenders.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 06, 1980 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 107-104 | |
| Apr 09, 1980 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-92 | |
| Apr 10, 1980 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 105-93 | |
| Apr 13, 1980 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 107-83 | |
| Apr 15, 1980 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 105-100 |
1980 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1980 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers showcased their dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought five-game series. Led by the formidable duo of Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks, the Sixers blended athleticism and strategy to control the tempo and outmaneuver their storied rivals. This victory propelled them to the NBA Finals, highlighting their resilience and determination to compete for the championship.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | W 96-93 | |
| Apr 20, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-90 | |
| Apr 23, 1980 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 99-97 | |
| Apr 25, 1980 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 102-90 | |
| Apr 27, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | W 105-94 |
1980 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1980 NBA Finals, the Philadelphia 76ers showcased their dynamic play with stars like Julius Erving leading the charge against the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite Dr. J's iconic baseline move and a strong overall performance, the 76ers fell to the Lakers in six games, with a historic Game 6 performance from Magic Johnson, who played center in place of an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, sealing the series. The 76ers' effort was memorable, but they ultimately couldn't overcome the Lakers' depth and Johnson's versatility.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-102 | |
| May 07, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 107-104 | |
| May 10, 1980 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 111-101 | |
| May 11, 1980 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 105-102 | |
| May 14, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-103 | |
| May 16, 1980 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 123-107 |
Philadelphia 76ers 1979-80 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1979-80 season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | W 93-92 | |
| Oct 13, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 113-105 | |
| Oct 17, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-88 | |
| Oct 19, 1979 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 112-104 | |
| Oct 20, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | W 136-111 | |
| Oct 24, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 132-110 | |
| Oct 26, 1979 | vs. New York Knicks | W 127-116 | |
| Oct 27, 1979 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 112-106 | |
| Oct 31, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 102-97 | |
| Nov 02, 1979 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 85-81 | |
| Nov 03, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 120-114 | |
| Nov 06, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 118-117 | |
| Nov 07, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 110-102 | |
| Nov 09, 1979 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-98 | |
| Nov 10, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 95-94 | |
| Nov 13, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 110-103 | |
| Nov 16, 1979 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 106-105 | |
| Nov 17, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 106-103 | |
| Nov 20, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 118-114 | |
| Nov 21, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 97-94 | |
| Nov 23, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 113-102 | |
| Nov 24, 1979 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 91-82 | |
| Nov 26, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 113-112 | |
| Nov 28, 1979 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 120-102 | |
| Nov 30, 1979 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 104-101 | |
| Dec 01, 1979 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 117-105 | |
| Dec 05, 1979 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 132-120 | |
| Dec 08, 1979 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 117-96 | |
| Dec 12, 1979 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 112-91 | |
| Dec 14, 1979 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 103-98 | |
| Dec 15, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 112-96 | |
| Dec 18, 1979 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 114-102 | |
| Dec 19, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | L 112-89 | |
| Dec 21, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 117-106 | |
| Dec 22, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 126-113 | |
| Dec 25, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | W 95-92 | |
| Dec 27, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 118-114 | |
| Dec 29, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 104-100 | |
| Jan 03, 1980 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 109-108 | |
| Jan 08, 1980 | @ New York Knicks | W 111-108 | |
| Jan 09, 1980 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 108-105 | |
| Jan 11, 1980 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 119-106 | |
| Jan 13, 1980 | vs. New York Knicks | W 126-112 | |
| Jan 16, 1980 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 121-110 | |
| Jan 18, 1980 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 112-105 | |
| Jan 19, 1980 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-107 | |
| Jan 23, 1980 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 118-93 | |
| Jan 25, 1980 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 124-103 | |
| Jan 27, 1980 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 125-118 | |
| Jan 28, 1980 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-101 | |
| Jan 30, 1980 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 121-108 | |
| Jan 31, 1980 | @ Houston Rockets | W 110-105 | |
| Feb 05, 1980 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 109-108 | |
| Feb 06, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | L 129-110 | |
| Feb 08, 1980 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1980 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 105-104 | |
| Feb 13, 1980 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 107-85 | |
| Feb 15, 1980 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 114-104 | |
| Feb 16, 1980 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 100-92 | |
| Feb 17, 1980 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 115-100 | |
| Feb 21, 1980 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 104-99 | |
| Feb 24, 1980 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 103-100 | |
| Feb 26, 1980 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 98-96 | |
| Feb 27, 1980 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-98 | |
| Feb 29, 1980 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-103 | |
| Mar 02, 1980 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 144-99 | |
| Mar 05, 1980 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 120-113 | |
| Mar 07, 1980 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-92 | |
| Mar 09, 1980 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 134-118 | |
| Mar 11, 1980 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 102-97 | |
| Mar 12, 1980 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 105-98 | |
| Mar 14, 1980 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-94 | |
| Mar 16, 1980 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 123-109 | |
| Mar 17, 1980 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 123-109 | |
| Mar 19, 1980 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 105-99 | |
| Mar 20, 1980 | @ Washington Bullets | L 119-113 | |
| Mar 21, 1980 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 108-99 | |
| Mar 23, 1980 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-108 | |
| Mar 26, 1980 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 84-81 | |
| Mar 27, 1980 | @ New York Knicks | W 103-101 | |
| Mar 28, 1980 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-92 | |
| Mar 30, 1980 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 116-110 |