History of Philadelphia 76ers in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2026

The Philadelphia 76ers, founded in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals before relocating to Philadelphia in 1963, are a professional NBA franchise with a rich history. They have captured three NBA championships (1955, 1967, and 1983). The team is renowned for housing legendary Hall of Famers such as Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Allen Iverson. Currently, the franchise centers its competitive aspirations around star center Joel Embiid. Playing their home games at the Wells Fargo Center, the 76ers are iconic for their passionate fanbase and deep roots in the city's sports culture. Despite undergoing periods of intense rebuilding, most notably the 'Trust the Process' era, they remain a perennial playoff contender in the Eastern Conference, continuously striving to secure their fourth championship trophy.

1946: Establishment of the Syracuse Nationals

In 1946, Danny Biasone founded the Syracuse Nationals as part of the National Basketball League (NBL) in Syracuse, New York, with an initial investment of $5,000.

1947: Syracuse Nationals 1947-48 Season

During the 1947–48 season, the Syracuse Nationals struggled to maintain form, finishing the year in fifth place with a 24–36 record before being swept in the playoffs by the Anderson Duffey Packers.

1948: Dolph Schayes Professional Debut

In 1948, Dolph Schayes made his professional debut with the Syracuse Nationals after the team outbid the New York Knicks for his services, contributing to the team's first winning season with a 40–23 record.

1949: Syracuse Nationals 1949-50 Season Success

During the 1949 season, the Syracuse Nationals established themselves as a premier NBA team by achieving a league-best record of 51–13 and securing the Eastern Division title.

1949: Formation of the NBA

In 1949, the NBL and BAA leagues merged to form the NBA, resulting in the Syracuse Nationals being selected as one of the seven former NBL teams to join the new league.

1950: The Nationals remain in the NBA

During the 1950 season, while several other teams opted to depart for the National Professional Basketball League, the Syracuse Nationals made the strategic decision to remain in the NBA for their second season in the league.

1951: 1951-52 Syracuse Nationals Season Success

During the 1951-52 season, coach and player Al Cervi led the Syracuse Nationals to an Eastern Division title with a 40-26 record. The team maintained a league-leading defense that allowed only 79.5 points per game. Their playoff run included a series victory over the Warriors, though their season ultimately concluded with a loss to the New York Knickerbockers in the Eastern Finals in 1951.

1952: Syracuse Nationals 1952-53 Season Performance

During the 1952-53 season, the Syracuse Nationals concluded their campaign with a 47-24 record, placing second in a competitive three-way battle for the Eastern Division lead.

1953: Introduction of Gold Syracuse Jerseys

Beginning in 1953, the Syracuse Nationals updated their uniform aesthetic to include gold "Syracuse" jerseys, a style they maintained until 1956.

1953: Syracuse Nationals 1953-54 Season Restructuring and Playoff Run

During the 1953 season, the Indianapolis Olympians folded, resulting in the acquisition of players Alex Groza and Ralph Beard by the Syracuse Nationals. The team finished the 1953-54 season with a 42-30 record, narrowly missing the Division title. They successfully navigated a round-robin playoff tournament and defeated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Finals before ultimately losing a seven-game NBA Finals series to the Minneapolis Lakers.

1954: Implementation of the NBA 24-Second Shot Clock

During the 1954 season, Syracuse Nationals owner Danny Biasone and general manager Leo Ferris introduced the 24-second shot clock to increase the pace and scoring of NBA games, a change that significantly improved the league's financial outlook and gameplay dynamics.

1955: 1955-56 Nationals Post-Championship Season and Playoff Run

During the 1955-56 season, the defending champion Nationals struggled with a 35-37 record, barely qualifying for the playoffs. They managed to defeat the Celtics in the first round but were ultimately eliminated by the Warriors in the Eastern Finals with a 109-104 loss in 1955-56. Following the conclusion of the season, the team permanently updated their uniforms by removing gold to feature only red and blue.

1955: Syracuse Nationals NBA Championship Victory

In 1955, the franchise, then known as the Syracuse Nationals, secured their first NBA championship title.

1956: 1956-57 Syracuse Nationals Season Transformation

During the 1956-57 season, the Syracuse Nationals underwent a mid-season coaching change when Al Cervi was dismissed and replaced by Paul Seymour. Under Seymour's leadership, the team improved their performance, ultimately finishing the 1956 season and subsequent campaign with a 38-34 record and advancing to the Eastern Finals before being swept by the Boston Celtics.

1956: Conclusion of Gold Jersey Era

The year 1956 marked the conclusion of the period in which the Syracuse Nationals wore their gold-themed uniforms, which had been in use since 1953.

1957: Syracuse Nationals 1957-58 Season

During the 1957 season, the Syracuse Nationals continued as the last small-town team in the NBA, securing a second-place finish with a 41-31 record before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia Warriors.

1958: 1958–59 Syracuse Nationals Season

During the 1958 season, the Syracuse Nationals finished with a 35–37 record and secured a playoff spot. They successfully defeated the Knickerbockers in a two-game sweep before ultimately being eliminated in the Eastern Finals by the Boston Celtics in a competitive seven-game series.

1959: 1959-60 Nationals Regular Season Performance

During the 1959 season and the broader 1959-60 campaign, the Syracuse Nationals remained competitive against elite league talent, finishing the regular season with a 45–30 record and securing third place before eventually falling to the Warriors in the playoffs.

1960: Syracuse Nationals transition and 1960-61 season

In 1960, the Syracuse Nationals became the final original NBL team to remain in their founding city after the Lakers relocated to Los Angeles. During the 1960–61 season, the team finished with a 38–41 record, defeated the Warriors in a playoff sweep, and were ultimately eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Finals.

1961: The 1961–62 Syracuse Nationals Season

During the 1961–62 season, Dolph Schayes missed 24 games, ending his 14-year streak as the team's leading scorer, a title taken by Hal Greer who averaged 22.8 points per game. The team finished with a 41–39 record and was eliminated from the playoffs by the Warriors after losing a decisive fifth game 121–104 in 1961.

1962: 1962-63 Syracuse Nationals Season and Playoff Exit

During the 1962-63 season, the Syracuse Nationals defied expectations by finishing in second place with a 48-32 record. However, during the playoffs in 1962, the team suffered a disappointing first-round exit against the Cincinnati Royals, losing the series after dropping the decisive fifth game in a 131-127 overtime defeat.

March 26, 1963: Final game of the Syracuse Nationals

On March 26, 1963, the Syracuse Nationals played their final game, which resulted in a playoff overtime loss. This event marked the conclusion of the franchise's time in Syracuse before being purchased by Irv Kosloff and Ike Richman and relocated to Philadelphia.

1964: Wilt Chamberlain Acquired by 76ers

During the 1964–65 season, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Wilt Chamberlain from the San Francisco Warriors, bringing the local Overbrook High School star back to play in his home city in 1964.

December 3, 1965: Death of Richman

On December 3, 1965, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Richman tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack while sitting courtside at the Boston Garden during a professional basketball game.

1966: 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers Historic Season

During the 1966 season and the following campaign, the Philadelphia 76ers achieved a historic 68-13 record, led by coach Alex Hannum and stars including Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, and Hal Greer. The team ended the Boston Celtics' eight-year championship streak and defeated the Warriors in the Finals to secure their second NBA title.

1967: Philadelphia 76ers Move to The Spectrum

During the 1967–68 season, the Philadelphia 76ers established a new home court at The Spectrum, marking a significant transition for the franchise in 1967.

1967: Philadelphia 76ers 1967 NBA Championship

Led by star Wilt Chamberlain, the Philadelphia 76ers achieved their second NBA championship victory in 1967.

1980: Selection as Best Team in NBA History

In 1980, during the celebration of the NBA's 35th anniversary, the legendary 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers roster was officially voted as the greatest team in the history of the league.