PHILADELPHIA, PA. – As the Philadelphia 76ers get set to celebrate their 50th season in the City of Brotherly Love, they will honor their roots by playing a preseason game against the New York Knicks at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York on Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m. Prior to moving to Philadelphia and becoming the 76ers in 1963, the franchise was known as the Syracuse Nationals and played there for 14 seasons, winning the NBA Championship in 1955.
"As we celebrate our 50th season in Philadelphia, it's important to remember our Syracuse roots while looking forward to the exciting season we have ahead of us," said Sixers CEO and co-Owner Adam Aron. "What fun to see the Sixers take on our division rivals in this historic hometown game."
Hall-of-famer Dolph Schayes, who played all 14 seasons for the Nationals and finished his career as a Sixer, will be in attendance. Schayes also coached the Sixers for three seasons, taking the team to the Eastern Division Finals twice. A 12-time All-Star, Schayes retired as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
“I’m thrilled to see the franchise return to play a game in Syracuse,” said Schayes. “This will bring excitement to generations of fans in central New York who have heard of the great basketball tradition the Nationals started in the area back in the 50’s and early 60’s, which has been carried on by Syracuse University.”
The game will also mark the return of Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse University to the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 2003. Anthony last appeared at the Carrier Dome as a member of the Denver Nuggets in a preseason game against Phoenix on October 17, 2008.
The only time the Sixers have played at the Carrier Dome was a preseason game against New Jersey on October 26, 1991. Despite falling behind 13-1, Charles Barkley and the Sixers came back to win 128-104.
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