76ers Honor 2001 Eastern Conference Champions, Iverson Steals the Show

Philadelphia celebrates the 25th anniversary of its 2001 NBA Finals appearance with a win over the Pelicans.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:47am

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The Philadelphia 76ers honored their 2000-01 Eastern Conference championship team on Saturday night, with the spotlight shining brightly on Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. The former MVP received a rousing ovation from the crowd as he was introduced during the halftime ceremony, which also featured other members of that iconic squad. The 76ers went on to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-114, led by a dominant performance from Joel Embiid.

Why it matters

The 2001 76ers team, led by Iverson, captured the imagination of Philadelphia sports fans with their underdog run to the NBA Finals. Honoring that team's legacy serves as a reminder of the franchise's proud history and its ability to rally the city around its basketball team.

The details

The 76ers pulled out all the stops for the anniversary celebration, including wearing throwback jerseys, displaying the vintage team logo, and bringing back the mascot from the early 2000s. Iverson, the centerpiece of that team, received a thunderous ovation when he was introduced, with the crowd chanting "MVP" in recognition of his historic season. The current 76ers squad then went on to secure a comfortable victory over the Pelicans, led by Embiid's 40-point, 11-rebound performance.

  • The 76ers honored the 25th anniversary of their 2000-01 Eastern Conference championship team on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Iverson was named NBA MVP and led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

The players

Allen Iverson

A Hall of Fame guard who was the centerpiece of the 76ers' 2001 Eastern Conference championship team, winning NBA MVP that season.

Joel Embiid

The current star of the 76ers, who led the team to victory over the Pelicans with a 40-point, 11-rebound performance.

Kobe Bryant

The Lakers superstar who faced off against Iverson and the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Shaquille O'Neal

Bryant's teammate on the Lakers, who also competed against Iverson and the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Pat Croce

The former president of the 76ers, who served as the guest bell ringer to open the anniversary celebration.

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The takeaway

The 76ers' celebration of their 2001 Eastern Conference championship team serves as a poignant reminder of the franchise's storied history and its ability to captivate the city of Philadelphia. The return of Iverson, the team's iconic leader, underscores the enduring legacy of that unforgettable run and the impact he had on the sport and the community.