Twenty-five years ago, Allen Iverson willed his team to the NBA Finals in a run that has filled Philadelphia with hope and pride for two-and-a-half decades. While the Sixers ultimately fell to the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers, led by a prime-era Shaquille O'Neal and an up-and-coming Kobe Bryant, the gutsy performance by Iverson and his supporting cast lives on to this day, particularly the moment they shocked the world, taking Game 1 in Los Angeles.
Ahead of the 2025-2026 NBA season, the Sixers have announced that they will honor the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship team on the 25th anniversary of their run.
The team will celebrate the anniversary with in-game and promotional throwbacks, alumni tributes, custom merchandise and much more, according to their announcement. The team also announced that tickets will officially be available to the public beginning Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 12 p.m.
The team has not yet confirmed that they will wear their long-awaited Iverson-era classic jerseys during these games, but considering the massive wave of anticipation and the alleged leaks, well, one has to wonder. The team will celebrate the '01 team 14 times throughout the season in select matchups, including:
Nov. 8 against the Toronto Raptors; Nov. 9 against the Detroit Pistons; Nov. 23 against the Miami Heat; Dec. 4 against the Golden State Warriors; Dec. 7 against the LA Lakers; Dec. 20 against the Dallas Mavericks; Dec. 23 against the Brooklyn Nets; Jan. 24 against the New York Knicks; Jan. 31 against the New orleans Pelicans; Feb. 11 against the New York Knicks; March 3 against the San Antonio Spurs; March 4 against the Utah Jazz; March 34 against the NBA Champion OKC Thunder; and finally, on April 12, against the Milwauke Bucks.
The celebration of this Sixers team was frankly one of the worst-kept secrets in the league, but one that fans will love regardless.
There is such a passion for the Iverson-era Sixers. Some call it irrational, but living through that era, especially during an impressionable time in your life, was nothing short of transformative, even though the team did not reach its ultimate goal.
It is not uncommon to credit players for changing the game of basketball. From pioneers like George Mikan to Wilt Chamberlain, to former Sixer Charles Barkley, who forced the NBA to implement the five-second backdown rule, and many more, players have impacted rule changes throughout the history of the league.
However, Allen Iverson did not just change the game of basketball on the court; he also changed the culture, the way players are viewed and discussed, and arguably, society.
While Iverson was a talking point throughout his 14-year NBA career, he was never more of an inspiration than during that '01 Finals run.
The same can be said of his teammates, who, though often unheralded and under-appreciated, were built to complement Iverson and sacrificed much to allow him to play his style. Players like Eric Snow, Aaron McKie, Tyrone Hill, and, of course, the legendary Dikembe Mutombo, who the world lost far too soon nearly a year ago.
While skepticism surrounds the team's opportunity to contend this season, there will be at least no shortage of excitement between the arrival of No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe, the return of Jared McCain, the continued rise of Tyrese Maxey, and now this season-long celebration.
That is, as always, injuries permitting.
