The 1949-50 season marked the Philadelphia 76ers’ inaugural NBA season, following the merger of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL). Playing as the Syracuse Nationals, they were one of the original teams in the newly formed NBA.
Under coach Al Cervi, the Nationals finished the regular season with a record of 51-13, showcasing a strong performance in the Eastern Division. They were led by standout players such as Dolph Schayes, who would become a future Hall of Famer, and Al Cervi, who doubled as a player-coach.
In the playoffs, the Nationals reached the NBA Finals after defeating the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks. However, they fell to the Minneapolis Lakers in the championship series, losing 4-2. Despite not securing the title, their impressive season laid the groundwork for future success in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 51-13
- Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 2-0, Division Finals: 2-1, NBA Finals: 2-4
Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats for 1949-50 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Dolph Schayes | 64 | 16.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 17.2 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Gabor | 56 | 10.9 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10 | 7.5 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Al Cervi | 56 | 10.2 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 7.7 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| George Ratkovicz | 62 | 8.6 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 13.1 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Paul Seymour | 62 | 7.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 7.1 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Alex Hannum | 64 | 7.6 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 8.5 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Macknowski | 59 | 7.4 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 10.5 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ed Peterson | 63 | 7.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Andrew Levane | 57 | 5.8 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ray Corley | 59 | 5.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Leroy Chollet | 47 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Philadelphia 76ers in the 1950 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Syracuse Nationals
In the 1950 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers, then known as the Syracuse Nationals, faced off against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Division semifinals. The series was a tightly contested battle, ultimately stretching to a decisive Game 3. The Nationals emerged victorious, clinching the series 2-1 and advancing to the division finals, showcasing their resilience and competitive edge.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 93-76 | |
| Mar 23, 1950 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 59-53 |
1950 Conference Championship vs. Syracuse Nationals
In the 1950 NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers, known then as the Syracuse Nationals, reached the Eastern Division Finals but were defeated by the New York Knicks in a tightly contested three-game series. The Nationals showcased their competitive edge and resilience, setting the stage for future successes in the league. Despite the loss, this early playoff experience laid the groundwork for their eventual championship run in 1955.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 91-83 | |
| Mar 30, 1950 | @ New York Knicks | L 80-76 | |
| Apr 02, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 91-80 |
1950 NBA Finals vs. Syracuse Nationals
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 08, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | W 68-66 | |
| Apr 09, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 91-85 | |
| Apr 14, 1950 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 91-77 | |
| Apr 16, 1950 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 77-69 | |
| Apr 20, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 83-76 | |
| Apr 23, 1950 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 110-95 |
Philadelphia 76ers 1949-50 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1949-50 season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 78-58 | |
| Nov 05, 1949 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 84-51 | |
| Nov 06, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 82-72 | |
| Nov 09, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 103-73 | |
| Nov 10, 1949 | @ St. Louis Bombers | L 73-67 | |
| Nov 12, 1949 | @ Anderson Packers | W 84-69 | |
| Nov 13, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 80-66 | |
| Nov 15, 1949 | @ New York Knicks | W 77-74 | |
| Nov 17, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 79-76 | |
| Nov 20, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 102-76 | |
| Nov 21, 1949 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 77-67 | |
| Nov 24, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 125-123 | |
| Nov 27, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 80-62 | |
| Nov 30, 1949 | @ Boston Celtics | W 87-71 | |
| Dec 04, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 67-61 | |
| Dec 07, 1949 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 77-69 | |
| Dec 08, 1949 | @ Sheboygan Red Skins | W 86-72 | |
| Dec 10, 1949 | @ Rochester Royals | L 69-63 | |
| Dec 11, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 89-72 | |
| Dec 14, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 96-83 | |
| Dec 15, 1949 | @ Anderson Packers | L 100-88 | |
| Dec 18, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 86-73 | |
| Dec 20, 1949 | @ Waterloo Hawks | W 95-70 | |
| Dec 21, 1949 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 96-84 | |
| Dec 22, 1949 | @ Sheboygan Red Skins | W 83-74 | |
| Dec 25, 1949 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 94-88 | |
| Dec 28, 1949 | @ Washington Capitols | L 87-85 | |
| Dec 29, 1949 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 64-62 | |
| Jan 01, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 79-73 | |
| Jan 05, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 82-73 | |
| Jan 08, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 84-68 | |
| Jan 10, 1950 | @ Waterloo Hawks | L 86-84 | |
| Jan 11, 1950 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 98-88 | |
| Jan 12, 1950 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 64-62 | |
| Jan 15, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 82-69 | |
| Jan 19, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 107-86 | |
| Jan 22, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | W 77-75 | |
| Jan 26, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 76-72 | |
| Jan 29, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 85-70 | |
| Jan 30, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | W 91-75 | |
| Feb 01, 1950 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | L 91-83 | |
| Feb 02, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | W 73-67 | |
| Feb 03, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 103-79 | |
| Feb 05, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 96-87 | |
| Feb 08, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 106-81 | |
| Feb 11, 1950 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 77-76 | |
| Feb 12, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 102-98 | |
| Feb 16, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 105-74 | |
| Feb 19, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 82-78 | |
| Feb 21, 1950 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 89-78 | |
| Feb 23, 1950 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 108-80 | |
| Feb 24, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | W 72-67 | |
| Feb 26, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 73-64 | |
| Feb 27, 1950 | @ Anderson Packers | L 97-73 | |
| Feb 28, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | L 110-72 | |
| Mar 01, 1950 | @ Waterloo Hawks | W 93-72 | |
| Mar 02, 1950 | @ Sheboygan Red Skins | L 95-85 | |
| Mar 05, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 84-75 | |
| Mar 09, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 85-74 | |
| Mar 12, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 96-72 | |
| Mar 14, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | L 68-65 | |
| Mar 16, 1950 | @ Sheboygan Red Skins | W 88-75 | |
| Mar 18, 1950 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 89-88 | |
| Mar 19, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 72-67 |