Continuing our dive into the history of the Philadelphia 76ers with the season on hold due to COVID-19, we take a look back at one of the most popular players in the franchise’s history.
Allen Iverson and the Sixers headed into Cleveland to take on LeBron James and the Cavaliers coming off a big win over the New Jersey Nets. The big issue dogging the Sixers in this one was that Iverson injured his thumb in the win over the Nets and there was concern if he would even play in this one. Then again, this is Iverson we’re talking about here.
March 18, 2005
Philadelphia entered the contest with a 31-33 record as they continued to try and stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Cavaliers were also trying to get into the playoffs for the first time in the LeBron James era and it set up for a big night in Cleveland for the man they call “The Answer”.
Iverson dropped 31 points and had nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Sixers to a 93-81 win. He received some help from Kyle Korver who had 15 points and Chris Webber had 14 points and eight rebounds. Iverson greatly outplayed James who struggled with 16 points on 3-for-20 shooting on a dreadful night for him.
The fact that Iverson did play despite the thumb issue came as no surprise to coach Jim O’Brien who told reporters postgame:
I would have been shocked if he didn’t.
After shooting 9-for-27, Iverson added:
I got hit on it a couple times going to the basket and falling
down, but it didn’t bother me.
The win helped spur the Sixers forward and help them eventually make the playoffs. The 2004-05 season ended with Iverson winning the scoring title averaging 30.7 points per game before the season ended by running into the defending champion Detroit Pistons in Round 1. The Sixers fought valiantly, but Detroit just had too much in the playoffs. [lawrence-related id=27735,27728,27719]