During the playoffs, the Sixers eliminated the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, 4 games to 2.
The series win proved costly, as Billy Cunningham, their sixth man, injured his non-shooting wrist and was out for the remainder of the playoffs.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Sixers became the first team in NBA history to blow a 3–1 series lead as the team lost to the Boston Celtics in 7 games.
Instead, the team had the services of forward Johnny Green, who had been a four-time NBA All-Star during the 1960s and 1970s.
After the season, head coach Alex Hannum resigned to take a position in the ABA, and Wilt Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Archie Clark, center Darrall Imhoff, and forward Jerry Chambers (who never played with the team).