Knicks vs. 76ers: A Timeline of Historic Rivalry

Introduction:

The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most storied and passionate in NBA history. With a rich history spanning over 60 years, these two teams have engaged in countless memorable and thrilling encounters. From iconic battles to controversial moments, the Knicks-76ers rivalry has cemented its place as one of the most compelling in professional sports.

1950s: The Dawn of a Rivalry

• 1955: The inaugural Knicks-76ers game takes place on November 3rd, with the 76ers winning 99-90 at Madison Square Garden.

1960s: The Wilt Chamberlain Era

• 1965: Wilt Chamberlain joins the 76ers, marking the beginning of a dominant era for Philadelphia.
• 1967: The 76ers acquire Hal Greer, who becomes a key contributor alongside Chamberlain.
• 1969: The 76ers defeat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, advancing to the NBA Finals.

1970s: The "Clyde" Era

• 1970: The Knicks acquire Walt Frazier, who quickly becomes one of the most popular players in franchise history.
• 1973: The Knicks win their first NBA Championship, defeating the Lakers in five games.
• 1975: The Knicks and 76ers face off in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Knicks prevailing in seven games.

1980s: The Ewing-Moses Rivalry

• 1985: Patrick Ewing is selected by the Knicks with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft.
• 1986: Moses Malone signs with the 76ers, creating a fierce rivalry between the two centers.
• 1989: The 76ers and Knicks meet in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the 76ers winning in five games.

1990s: The Jordan Era

• 1991: Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls begin their dominance of the NBA.
• 1994: The Knicks and 76ers face off in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, with the Knicks winning in four games.
• 1995: The 76ers acquire Allen Iverson, who quickly becomes one of the most iconic players in franchise history.

2000s: The Post-Jordan Era

• 2001: The Knicks acquire Stephon Marbury, who leads the team to several playoff appearances.
• 2009: The Knicks and 76ers meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, with the 76ers winning in six games.
• 2012: The Knicks acquire Carmelo Anthony, who becomes the team's franchise player.

2010s: The Embiid-Porzingis Era

• 2014: Joel Embiid is selected by the 76ers with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft.
• 2015: Kristaps Porzingis is selected by the Knicks with the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft.
• 2019: The Knicks and 76ers meet in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, with the 76ers winning in five games.

2020s: A New Generation

• 2021: The Knicks acquire Julius Randle, who leads the team to a surprising playoff appearance.
• 2022: The 76ers acquire James Harden, forming a dynamic duo with Embiid.
• 2023: The Knicks and 76ers are currently tied in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, setting the stage for another chapter in their storied rivalry.

Table 1: Head-to-Head Record

Table 2: Playoff Series

Table 3: Individual Matchups

Conclusion:

The Knicks-76ers rivalry is a testament to the power of professional sports to capture the hearts and imaginations of fans. With a rich history spanning over six decades, this rivalry has featured countless iconic moments, passionate battles, and unforgettable individual performances. As the two teams continue to vie for supremacy in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks-76ers rivalry is sure to provide more thrilling chapters in the years to come.