Sixers

The Sixers is the nickname commonly used for the Philadelphia 76ers, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They compete in the Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division, and are one of the league’s oldest continuously operating franchises.

The franchise originated as the Syracuse Nationals, founded in 1946. The team relocated to Philadelphia in 1963 and adopted the name Philadelphia 76ers. The nickname “Sixers” is widely used in reference to the team, reflecting its official name and history. The Sixers have won three NBA championships: in 1955 as the Nationals, and in 1967 and 1983 as the 76ers. Throughout its history the club has featured several Hall of Fame players, including Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson.

The team plays its home games at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, a venue it has occupied since 1997. Prior to that, home games were held at the Spectrum. The Sixers have established notable rivalries with teams such as the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks and have been a central part of Philadelphia’s professional sports landscape for decades.

In the 2010s, the franchise pursued a lengthy rebuilding period known as “The Process,” focused on long-term player development and draft assets. In recent years, the roster has included star center Joel Embiid, who won the league MVP in 2023, and other players who have helped the team remain competitive in the Eastern Conference with aspirations for another championship.