Winner Take All: A History of Nets Elimination Games

April 24, 1976:  Game 7   San Antonio Spurs 114, New York Nets 121 

In the ABA’s final season in 1976, the Nets earned the second seed after a 55-29 regular season. In the ever-changing ABA playoff structure — due to fluctuating membership in the ABA —  the Nets received a bye into the semifinal round against the third-seed San Antonio Spurs. The series ended up tied at three, forcing a deciding Game 7 at Nassau Coliseum. Spurs forward George “The Iceman” Gervin’s 31 points were not enough, as the Nets took the series in front of 15,934 fans.

The Nets would defeat the Denver Nuggets in the Finals to become the ABA’s final champions. Julius Erving was traded to Philadelphia because of the financial pressures of moving to the NBA, and the franchise is still looking for its first NBA title to this day.

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