With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
On this night in 2006, the Sixers needed a win to stay in the playoff race as their hopes were dwindling. They had a home-and-home series with the hapless New York Knicks starting at Madison Square Garden that gave the Sixers a real chance to get back into the race. For that to happen, they needed their star duo to co-exist and make plays.
March 31, 2006
The Sixers entered the matchup really needing something to feel good about. It has been a bit of an underwhelming season for Philadelphia as they have yet to build off the solid 2005 season for them. In a game such as this one, it was important that Allen Iverson and Chris Webber step up and do what they’re supposed to do.
In this situation, they did in a big way.
Iverson was magnificent going for 47 points, nine assists, and six rebounds as he destroyed any type of defense New York wanted to throw at him. Webber was equally as good as he had 34 points and 12 rebounds as he had a field day inside. These performances were very far and few between from Webber, especially when Iverson had his big games, but on this night it was huge in a 117-112 win over the Knicks.
Iverson told reporters postgame that he had a message for his veteran teammate about the importance of these games:
I was talking to Chris Webber and I told him that these two were probably the two most important games of our season. We definitely got to play these like playoff games because they’re a struggling team and we’d like to think that we’re a better team than them.
We have to be able to get it done. We get these two games it makes it that much more easier on us.
Unfortunately, the Sixers were not able to get it together and make the playoffs. While they were able to get the win over the Knicks in the next game, they then dropped three games in a row that essentially put them out of the playoff race.
Iverson and Webber would remain with the Sixers to begin the 2006-07 season, but only for a time before Philadelphia began to make changes. [lawrence-related id=28588,28579,28569]