1987–88 Philadelphia 76ers season

The 1987–88 NBA season was the 76ers 39th season in the NBA and 25th season in Philadelphia. This was the first season of the post-Julius Erving era, as the team was now led by Charles Barkley. As a result, the Sixers failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1975, going 36–46. Matt Goukas was fired in the middle of the season after going 20-23 and was replaced by Jim Lynam.

This was the final season for Andrew Toney, as the former All-Star guard was forced to retire due to foot injuries.

Season standings

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

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * November 6
 * Indiana
 * W 108–95
 * The Spectrum
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * November 7
 * @ Chicago
 * L 94–104
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 13, 1987 7:30 PM EST
 * Detroit
 * L 94–113
 * The Spectrum 12,302
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 14
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 83–104
 * The Omni
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * November 18, 1987 7:30 PM EST
 * @ Detroit
 * W 113–109
 * Pontiac Silverdome 17,445
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * November 20
 * Boston
 * W 116–85
 * The Spectrum
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 21
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 88–101
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 3–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 24
 * Cleveland
 * W 108–104
 * The Spectrum
 * 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 27
 * @ Golden State
 * L 103–109
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 4–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 28
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 114–115 (OT)
 * ARCO Arena
 * 4–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * November 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 106–100
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 5–6
 * The Spectrum
 * 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 27
 * @ Golden State
 * L 103–109
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 4–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 28
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 114–115 (OT)
 * ARCO Arena
 * 4–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * November 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 106–100
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 5–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * November 30
 * @ Utah
 * W 106–100
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 5–6
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 5–6
 * 5–6


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 12
 * December 2
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * L 85–88
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 5–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * December 4
 * Seattle
 * W 118–105
 * The Spectrum
 * 6–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * December 8
 * @ Chicago
 * W 109–96
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 7–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 15
 * December 9
 * Portland
 * W 94–86
 * The Spectrum
 * 8–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * December 12
 * Denver
 * L 121–131
 * The Spectrum
 * 8–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 16
 * San Antonio
 * W 114–102
 * The Spectrum
 * 9–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 17
 * @ New York
 * W 110–106
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 10–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 19
 * Dallas
 * W 95–90
 * The Spectrum
 * 11–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 20
 * @ Boston
 * L 87–124
 * Boston Garden
 * 11–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * December 22
 * Boston
 * L 115–118
 * The Spectrum
 * 11–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 23
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 110–106
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 12–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 25
 * Atlanta
 * L 100–106
 * The Spectrum
 * 12–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 28
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 101–117
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 29, 1987 10:30 PM EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 115–131
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 12–13
 * The Spectrum
 * 11–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 23
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 110–106
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 12–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 23
 * December 25
 * Atlanta
 * L 100–106
 * The Spectrum
 * 12–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 28
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 101–117
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 29, 1987 10:30 PM EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 115–131
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 12–13
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 29, 1987 10:30 PM EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 115–131
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 12–13
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 12–13
 * 12–13


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * January 1
 * @ Portland
 * L 114–116
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * January 2
 * @ Seattle
 * L 114–116
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 12–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * January 4
 * Phoenix
 * W 122–114
 * The Spectrum
 * 13–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * January 6
 * Utah
 * W 116–93
 * The Spectrum
 * 14–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * January 8
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 117–103
 * The Spectrum
 * 15–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * January 9
 * Cleveland
 * W 126–110
 * The Spectrum
 * 16–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 12
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–106
 * MECCA Arena
 * 16–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 33
 * January 13
 * New Jersey
 * W 104–95
 * The Spectrum
 * 17–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 15
 * New York
 * W 119–104
 * The Spectrum
 * 18–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 16
 * @ New York
 * L 96–110
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 18–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 20
 * Washington
 * L 98–110
 * The Spectrum
 * 18–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * January 24
 * @ Washington
 * L 99–131
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 25
 * @ Washington
 * L 117–118 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * January 27
 * Chicago
 * L 109–119 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 18–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * January 29
 * Indiana
 * W 94–89
 * The Spectrum
 * 19–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 85–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 19–22
 * January 24
 * @ Washington
 * L 99–131
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 25
 * @ Washington
 * L 117–118 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * January 27
 * Chicago
 * L 109–119 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 18–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * January 29
 * Indiana
 * W 94–89
 * The Spectrum
 * 19–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 85–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 19–22
 * The Spectrum
 * 19–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 41
 * January 31
 * @ Boston
 * L 85–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 19–22
 * L 85–100
 * Boston Garden
 * 19–22
 * Boston Garden
 * 19–22
 * 19–22


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * February 3
 * Golden State
 * W 96–84
 * The Spectrum
 * 20–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 43
 * February 4
 * @ Indiana
 * L 95–109
 * Market Square Arena
 * 20–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * February 9
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 110–112
 * The Omni
 * 20–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * February 11
 * Milwaukee
 * W 119–113 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 21–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 14
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 105–109
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 21–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 15, 1988 7:30 PM EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 95–102
 * Pontiac Silverdome 21,530
 * 21–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 17
 * Cleveland
 * L 107–115
 * The Spectrum
 * 21–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * February 19
 * New Jersey
 * W 115–100
 * The Spectrum
 * 22–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 21
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 115–120 (OT)
 * MECCA Arena
 * 22–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 22
 * @ Houston
 * L 106–119
 * The Summit
 * 22–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 24
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 121–123 (OT)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 22–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 26
 * @ Denver
 * L 104–120
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 22–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 27
 * @ Dallas
 * L 91–100
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 29
 * Chicago
 * W 102–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 23–32
 * The Summit
 * 22–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 24
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 121–123 (OT)
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 22–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 26
 * @ Denver
 * L 104–120
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 22–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 27
 * @ Dallas
 * L 91–100
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 29
 * Chicago
 * W 102–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 23–32
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 29
 * Chicago
 * W 102–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 23–32
 * The Spectrum
 * 23–32
 * 23–32


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * March 3
 * @ Chicago
 * L 93–97
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 23–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * March 4
 * @ New York
 * L 108–110 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 23–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * March 6
 * @ Indiana
 * W 105–100
 * Market Square Arena
 * 24–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 7, 1988 7:30 PM EST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 104–110
 * The Spectrum 18,168
 * 24–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * March 11
 * Sacramento
 * W 124–118
 * The Spectrum
 * 25–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 13
 * Washington
 * W 104–96
 * The Spectrum
 * 26–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 15
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 90–104
 * The Omni
 * 26–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * March 16
 * New York
 * W 115–108
 * The Spectrum
 * 27–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * March 18
 * Indiana
 * W 129–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 28–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 19
 * @ Washington
 * W 94–89
 * Capital Centre
 * 29–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 22
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 90–102
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 29–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 23
 * Chicago
 * L 102–118
 * The Spectrum
 * 29–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 25
 * @ Boston
 * W 97–93
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 28
 * Houston
 * W 108–98
 * The Spectrum
 * 31–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 30
 * Milwaukee
 * W 134–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 29–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 23
 * Chicago
 * L 102–118
 * The Spectrum
 * 29–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 68
 * March 25
 * @ Boston
 * W 97–93
 * Boston Garden
 * 30–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 28
 * Houston
 * W 108–98
 * The Spectrum
 * 31–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 30
 * Milwaukee
 * W 134–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * The Spectrum
 * 31–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 70
 * March 30
 * Milwaukee
 * W 134–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * W 134–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * 32–38


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 71
 * April 1
 * Atlanta
 * L 93–105
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * April 5
 * New York
 * L 119–136
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * April 8, 1988 7:30 PM EDT
 * Detroit
 * L 86–96
 * The Spectrum 15,164
 * 32–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * April 10
 * Boston
 * L 108–117
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 11
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 115–102
 * MECCA Arena
 * 33–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 13
 * Washington
 * W 98–97 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 34–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 15
 * Atlanta
 * L 101–103 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 34–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 16
 * @ Indiana
 * L 92–126
 * Market Square Arena
 * 34–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 19
 * Milwaukee
 * W 115–102
 * The Spectrum
 * 35–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 21
 * New Jersey
 * W 104–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 36–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 23
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 99–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 24, 1988 7:00 PM EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 118–128
 * Pontiac Silverdome 27,854
 * 36–46
 * W 115–102
 * The Spectrum
 * 35–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 80
 * April 21
 * New Jersey
 * W 104–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 36–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 23
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 99–104
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 24, 1988 7:00 PM EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 118–128
 * Pontiac Silverdome 27,854
 * 36–46
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 36–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 24, 1988 7:00 PM EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 118–128
 * Pontiac Silverdome 27,854
 * 36–46
 * Pontiac Silverdome 27,854
 * 36–46
 * 36–46

Awards and records

 * Charles Barkley, All-NBA First Team