1978–79 Philadelphia 76ers season

The 1978–79 NBA season was the 76ers 30th season in the NBA and 16th season in Philadelphia. Coach Billy Cunningham began to mold a unit that played a team concept, as opposed to one made up of stars focusing on their own individual talents. The trade for forward Bobby Jones and the drafting of point guard Maurice Cheeks, further solidified this progression. The Sixers would finish the regular season at 47–35. They would lose in the Eastern Conference semi-finals to the San Antonio Spurs. From 1977 through 1983 (seven seasons), this would be the only year that the team failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 11
 * New Jersey
 * W 122–114
 * Julius Erving (37)
 * George McGinnis (14)
 * Henry Bibby (8)
 * Spectrum 8,846
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 13
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 111–101
 * Caldwell Jones (24)
 * Caldwell Jones (21)
 * three players tied (5)
 * Rutgers Athletic Center 9,126
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 15
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 106–119
 * Darryl Dawkins (25)
 * Caldwell Jones (15)
 * Julius Erving (7)
 * HemisFair Arena 10,253
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 17
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 120–121
 * Julius Erving (25)
 * Caldwell Jones (11)
 * Henry Bibby (10)
 * HemisFair Arena 16,709
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 20
 * San Antonio
 * W 123–115
 * Julius Erving (39)
 * Caldwell Jones (12)
 * Maurice Cheeks (9)
 * Spectrum 14,039
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * April 22
 * San Antonio
 * L 112–115
 * Maurice Cheeks (33)
 * Steve Mix (9)
 * Maurice Cheeks (9)
 * Spectrum 11,163
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * April 26
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 120–97
 * Julius Erving (32)
 * Caldwell Jones (14)
 * Maurice Cheeks (12)
 * HemisFair Arena 16,055
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * April 29
 * San Antonio
 * W 92–90
 * Caldwell Jones (20)
 * Caldwell Jones (17)
 * Maurice Cheeks (6)
 * Spectrum 18,276
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * May 2
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 108–111
 * Julius Erving (34)
 * Caldwell Jones (14)
 * Maurice Cheeks (13)
 * HemisFair Arena 16,055
 * 3–4

Awards and records

 * Bobby Jones, NBA All-Defensive First Team