2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Philadelphia 76ers 2002 43 39 Atlantic 4 6 Larry Brown Billy King Comcast Spectacor First Union Center First round(lost to Celtics 2–3) PHI WPSG Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia WIP The 2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 53rd season for the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association, and their 39th season in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia 76ers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/ August 9, 2026 The city of Philadelphia hosted the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center this season. The 76ers were coming off of an NBA Finals defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, in which they won Game 1, but lost the next four games in the 2001 NBA Finals. Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the team re-acquired forward 76ers forward Derrick Coleman from the Charlotte Hornets, and acquired Corie Blount and Vonteego Cummings from the Golden State Warriors in a three-team trade, Associated Press NBA: Coleman Returns to Sixers; Hornets Get Lynch ESPN October 26, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/1025/1268822.html October 23, 2024 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball: Coleman Returns to the 76ers in Trade The New York Times October 26, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/26/sports/plus-pro-basketball-coleman-returns-to-the-76ers-in-trade.html July 26, 2021 Associated Press 76ers Get Coleman in Three-Team Deal Los Angeles Times October 26, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-26-sp-61868-story.html October 19, 2022 acquired Matt Harpring from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Associated Press NBA: Sixers, Cavs Complete 5-Player Trade ESPN August 3, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0803/1234817.html October 24, 2024 Associated Press N.B.A.: Roundup: Tyrone Hill Returns to the Cavs The New York Times August 4, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/04/sports/nba-roundup-tyrone-hill-returns-to-the-cavs.html January 11, 2022 Associated Press 76ers Deal Away Hill, But Acquire Moiso Los Angeles Times August 4, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-04-sp-30580-story.html October 19, 2022 and later on signed free agent Derrick McKey at mid-season. 76ers Sign Veteran Derrick McKey United Press International January 14, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/01/14/76ers-sign-veteran-Derrick-McKey/42051011039281/ January 11, 2022 Magic Owner DeVos Puts Team on Market The Washington Post January 15, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/01/15/magic-owner-devos-puts-team-on-market/e37eeff1-edb8-4364-b9fb-e2dc53d3297a/ October 25, 2022 Regular season Despite the addition of Coleman and Harpring, the 76ers struggled losing their first five games of the regular season. Last season's Most Valuable Player Allen Iverson, Sixth Man Aaron McKie, and point guard Eric Snow were all sidelined due to injuries; Iverson was out with an elbow injury, while McKie had a shoulder injury, and Snow was out with a broken thumb. Maaddi Rob Injuries, Trades Remake the Sixers Into a New Team The Washington Post October 28, 2001 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2001/10/28/injuries-trades-remake-the-sixers-into-a-new-team/3f7020ab-4bc1-4147-8b50-1c2ef1b4b2c6/ November 26, 2022 McCallum Jack 3. Philadelphia 76ers: Scoring? Check. Defense? Check. Coaching? Check. All That's Left Is for Injuries to Heal and the Jellin' to Start Sports Illustrated Vault October 29, 2001 https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/10/29/3-philadelphia-76ers-scoring-check-defense-check-coaching-check-all-thats-left-is-for-injuries-to-heal-and-the-jellin-to-start https://web.archive.org/web/20201025020705/https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/10/29/3-philadelphia-76ers-scoring-check-defense-check-coaching-check-all-thats-left-is-for-injuries-to-heal-and-the-jellin-to-start dead October 25, 2020 May 5, 2023 Associated Press Sixers Find Only Failure After Going to the Finals The New York Times November 8, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/08/sports/basketball/sixers-find-only-failure-after-going-to-the-finals.html July 27, 2021 Also just four games into the season, center Matt Geiger retired. Times Wire Services Magic's Hill Is Told to Give Ankle a Rest Los Angeles Times November 29, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-29-sp-9557-story.html November 26, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: With Sixers on the Brink, Iverson Speaks His Piece The New York Times April 28, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/28/sports/pro-basketball-with-sixers-on-the-brink-iverson-speaks-his-piece.html October 25, 2022 However, Iverson, McKie and Snow eventually returned as the team posted a seven-game winning streak after their bad start, but then posted a seven-game losing streak in December leading to a 8–14 start to the season. The 76ers played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, holding a 25–24 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 7, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=7&year=2002 September 12, 2022 and climbed back into playoff position by finishing in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 43–39 record, and earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. 2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2002_games.html June 23, 2021 Iverson averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game in 60 games, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Coleman averaged 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and McKie provided the team with 12.2 points and 3.7 assists per game in 48 games. In addition, Snow contributed 12.1 points, 6.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 61 games, while Harpring provided with 11.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and Dikembe Mutombo averaged 11.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Meanwhile, rookie point guard Speedy Claxton contributed 7.2 points, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game, Blount averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, and McKey provided with 2.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 2001–02 Philadelphia 76ers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2002.html June 23, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Iverson and Mutombo were both selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was Mutombo's final All-Star appearance. NBA.com Staff 2002 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2002 May 4, 2023 2002 All-Star Weekend - at Philadelphia: February 8-10 Eskimo North https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/all-star02.txt May 4, 2023 2002 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2002.html November 24, 2021 Iverson also wore number #6 to honor Hall of Famer, and 76ers legend Julius Erving. Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: As Fans Show No Love, Bryant Shows No Mercy The New York Times February 11, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/11/sports/pro-basketball-as-fans-show-no-love-bryant-shows-no-mercy.html October 24, 2022 NBA: Iverson Honors Erving by Wearing No. 6 ESPN February 10, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/allstar2002/news/2002/0210/1327152.html July 25, 2021 Iverson finished in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting, 2001–02 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com//awards/awards_2002.html January 11, 2022 while Mutombo finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Associated Press NBA: Pistons' Wallace Wins Award in a Landslide ESPN April 23, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0420/1371387.html October 20, 2022 The 76ers finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 842,976 at the First Union Center during the regular season. 2001–02 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2002.html January 25, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2002 NBA playoffs, the 76ers faced off against the 3rd–seeded Boston Celtics, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Paul Pierce, All-Star forward Antoine Walker, and Kenny Anderson. The 76ers lost the first two games to the Celtics on the road at the FleetCenter, but managed to win the next two games at home, which included a Game 4 win over the Celtics at the First Union Center, 83–81 to tie the series at 2–2. Broussard Chris  Pro Basketball: Iverson Leads Charge, Forcing Decisive Game  The New York Times  May 2, 2002  https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/02/sports/pro-basketball-iverson-leads-charge-forcing-decisive-game.html July 4, 2026 Associated Press  Iverson and 76ers Force the Issue with Celtics  Los Angeles Times  May 2, 2002  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-02-sp-sixers02-story.html July 4, 2026 2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 4: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, May 1, 2002 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200205010PHI.html July 4, 2026 However, the 76ers lost Game 5 to the Celtics at the FleetCenter, 120–87, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Sparked by Pierce's 46, Celtics Return to Glory The New York Times May 4, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/04/sports/pro-basketball-sparked-by-pierce-s-46-celtics-return-to-glory.html July 24, 2021 Wyche Steve The Celtics Pierce the 76ers' Bubble The Washington Post May 5, 2002 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/05/05/the-celtics-pierce-the-76ers-bubble/faf822c8-0a68-4a6f-9fec-9727a1b4a2df/ June 2, 2022 2002 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: 76ers vs. Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2002-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-76ers-vs-celtics.html May 4, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Mutombo was traded to the New Jersey Nets, Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Nets Get Mutombo from 76ers for Van Horn and MacCulloch The New York Times August 7, 2002 https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/07/sports/pro-basketball-nets-get-mutombo-from-76ers-for-van-horn-and-macculloch.html?mcubz=1 August 22, 2017 Times Wire Services Nets Get Mutombo for Van Horn, MacCulloch Los Angeles Times August 7, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-aug-07-sp-nbanotes7-story.html June 15, 2022 Associated Press NBA: MacCulloch Also Part of Nets' Trade with Sixers ESPN August 8, 2002 https://a.espncdn.com/nba/news/2002/0806/1414865.html October 23, 2024 while Harpring signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz. Associated Press NBA: Addition of Harpring Ends Marshall's Time in Utah ESPN August 15, 2002 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0815/1418411.html October 26, 2024 Evans Rich Jazz Will Acquire Forward Harpring Deseret News August 15, 2002 https://www.deseret.com/2002/8/15/19671974/jazz-will-acquire-forward-harpring November 26, 2022 Harpring Signs with Jazz United Press International August 16, 2002 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/08/16/Harpring-signs-with-Jazz/4161029470400/ June 11, 2022 Meanwhile, Claxton was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on draft day, NBA Draft Los Angeles Times June 28, 2002 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-28-sp-nbadraftrail28-story.html October 20, 2022 Blount and Cummings were both released to free agency, and McKey retired. Offseason During the offseason, the 76ers made multiple trades. On August 3, the organization traded Tyrone Hill to the Cleveland Cavaliers (where he had previously played four seasons) for Matt Harpring, Cedric Henderson, and Robert Traylor. On the same day, the 76ers would trade Roshown McLeod and a 2003 1st round draft pick to the Boston Celtics for Jérôme Moïso. Harpring would be Philadelphia's starting small forward for the season, while Henderson, Traylor, and Moïso would be traded before the season started. On October 2, the 76ers signed Ira Bowman. Bowman would play 3 games before being waived on November 6. On October 25, the 76ers were involved in a three-team trade with the Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets. The 76ers traded Cedric Henderson and a 2005 1st round draft pick to the Warriors. They also traded George Lynch, Jérôme Moïso, and Robert Traylor to the Hornets. The 76ers received Derrick Coleman from the Hornets and Corie Blount and Vonteego Cummings from the Warriors.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2002_transactions.html 2001-02 Philadelphia 76ers Transactions Draft picks 2001 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 26 Samuel Dalembert C Seton Hall 2 36 Damone Brown SF Syracuse 2 56 Alvin Jones C Georgia Tech Roster Philadelphia 76ers 2001–02 black #CBA135 #D80303 white 11 Raja Bell SG 6 5 204 1976–09–19 Florida International 40 Corie Blount PF 6 9 240 1969–01–04 Cincinnati 25 Damone Brown SF 6 9 200 1979–06–28 Syracuse 12 Speedy Claxton PG 5 11 166 1978–05–08 Hofstra 44 Derrick Coleman PF 6 10 230 1967–06–21 Syracuse 5 Vonteego Cummings PG 6 3 185 1976–02–29 Pittsburgh 1 Samuel Dalembert C 6 11 250 1981–05–10 Seton Hall 52 Matt Geiger C 7 0 243 1969–09–10 Georgia Tech 21 Matt Harpring SF 6 7 231 1976–05–31 Georgia Tech 3 Allen Iverson SG 6 0 165 1975–06–07 Georgetown 0 Alvin Jones basketball C 6 11 265 1978–09–09 Georgia Tech 9 Derrick McKey SF 6 9 205 1966–10–10 Alabama 8 Aaron McKie SG 6 5 209 1972–10–02 Temple 55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7 2 245 1966–06–25 Georgetown 41 Jabari Smith C 6 11 250 1977–02–12 LSU 20 Eric Snow PG 6 3 190 1973–04–24 Michigan State Larry Brown Randy Ayers Herb Brown Dave Hanners John Kuester https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2002.html January 14, 2002 Regular season Season standings PHI PHI z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Philadelphia 76ers 2002 #000000 #BB9574 yes Philadelphia 76ers First Round yes #BB9574 #000000 yes no 2 0 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 21 | @ Boston | L 82–92 | Allen Iverson (20) | Dikembe Mutombo (11) | Eric Snow (5) | FleetCenter18,624 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 25 | @ Boston | L 85–93 | Allen Iverson (29) | Derrick Coleman (13) | Allen Iverson (7) | FleetCenter18,624 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 28 | Boston | W 108–103 | Allen Iverson (42) | Dikembe Mutombo (11) | Eric Snow (5) | First Union Center20,689 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 1 | Boston | W 83–81 | Allen Iverson (28) | Dikembe Mutombo (14) | Eric Snow (11) | First Union Center20,904 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 3 | @ Boston | L 87–120 | Allen Iverson (31) | Matt Harpring (8) | Iverson, McKie (4) | FleetCenter18,624 | 2–3 |- PHI 2002 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRaja Bell 74 12 12.0 .429 .273 .750 1.5 1.0 .3 .1 3.4Corie Blount 72 21 19.8 .458 .000 .644 5.1 .6 .7 .4 3.6Ira Bowman 3 0 9.7 .714 .000 .3 .3 .7 .0 3.3Damone Brown 17 0 3.9 .381 .000 .875 .2 .1 .1 .1 1.4Speedy Claxton 67 18 22.8 .400 .121 .838 2.4 3.0 1.4 .1 7.2Derrick Coleman 58 58 35.9 .450 .337 .815 8.8 1.7 .7 .9 15.1Vonteego Cummings 58 1 8.6 .417 .261 .750 .9 1.0 .3 .1 3.3Samuel Dalembert 34 0 5.2 .440 .389 2.0 .1 .2 .4 1.5Matt Geiger 4 0 9.0 .125 .500 1.5 .0 .0 .5 .8Matt Harpring 81 81 31.4 .461 .304 .743 7.1 1.3 .9 .1 11.8Allen Iverson 60 59 43.7 .398 .291 .812 4.5 5.5 2.8 .2 31.4Tim James basketball 9 0 4.6 .385 .333 .8 .1 .0 .1 1.3Alvin Jones basketball 23 2 5.5 .400 .500 1.6 .1 .1 .4 1.1Derrick McKey 41 1 19.1 .426 .417 .714 3.1 1.1 1.0 .1 2.9Aaron McKie 48 16 30.6 .449 .398 .787 4.0 3.7 1.2 .3 12.2Dikembe Mutombo 80 80 36.3 .501 .764 10.8 1.0 .4 2.4 11.5Michael Ruffin 15 0 11.3 .269 .250 3.4 .3 .3 .5 1.1Jabari Smith† 11 0 10.0 .476 .000 .750 1.3 .5 .4 .2 5.0Eric Snow 61 61 36.5 .442 .111 .806 3.5 6.6 1.6 .1 12.1 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRaja Bell 3 0 2.7 .333 .000 .3 .0 .0 .0 .7Corie Blount 5 0 17.6 .250 .750 2.8 .4 .4 .4 1.4Speedy Claxton 5 0 9.8 .333 .000 .667 .2 2.8 1.0 .0 2.4Derrick Coleman 5 5 38.2 .524 .308 .800 9.2 2.0 .2 1.4 12.8Vonteego Cummings 1 0 1.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0Matt Harpring 5 5 23.8 .500 .778 5.2 1.4 1.0 .0 10.2Allen Iverson 5 5 41.8 .381 .333 .810 3.6 4.2 2.6 .0 30.0Alvin Jones basketball 2 0 2.5 .5 .0 .0 .0 .0Derrick McKey 4 0 10.0 .500 1.5 .3 .3 .5 2.0Aaron McKie 5 0 29.2 .435 .375 .700 3.6 2.4 2.0 .0 10.6Dikembe Mutombo 5 5 34.6 .452 .615 10.6 .6 .4 1.8 8.8Eric Snow 5 5 34.2 .321 .167 .773 4.4 5.4 1.2 .0 10.8 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the 76ers only. Player statistics citation: Awards and records Allen Iverson, All-NBA Second Team Dikembe Mutombo, All-NBA Third Team Dikembe Mutombo, NBA All-Defensive Second Team References See also 2001-02 NBA season Category:Philadelphia 76ers seasons Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia Category:2002 in Philadelphia Category:2001 in Philadelphia