Philadelphia 76ers: A Disappointing Season

The Philadelphia 76ers were undoubtedly one of the most disappointing teams this season. Due to injuries to key players like Joel Embiid, the team was effectively eliminated from playoff contention early on, breaking Embiid’s impressive streak of 7 consecutive playoff appearances. With that in mind, let's take a look at the current players with the longest active streaks of consecutive playoff appearances. Despite being a powerhouse, LeBron James only ranks second, while James Harden has a chance to break the current record!

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo (9 seasons)

When Giannis first entered the NBA in 2013, he was essentially a raw prospect, with much of his game still needing refinement on both ends of the floor. However, under the tutelage of Jason Kidd, he developed NBA-level skills and quickly found his optimal style of play. From the 2016-2017 season, Giannis began reaching new heights, making All-Star appearances and All-NBA selections. The Bucks, led by Giannis, became a top team in the Eastern Conference. They not only made the playoffs every year since 2017 but also won the NBA Championship in 2021. Even though the Bucks' performance has dipped slightly in the past two seasons, Giannis remains a force to help secure their playoff berth, and he could continue his streak for years to come.

7. Jayson Tatum (9 seasons)

Jayson Tatum was selected by the Boston Celtics in 2016, and by his rookie season, the team was already a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. As the Celtics continued to improve their roster, Tatum developed into the team’s core player, helping Boston return to elite status. Under his leadership, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023. In 2023, they made an incredible comeback from a 0-3 deficit to tie the series 3-3, but unfortunately fell short. However, in 2024, the Celtics had a breakthrough, making it to the Finals and defeating the Mavericks to win the championship. Tatum was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP. This season, with Tatum leading the way, the Celtics have already secured a playoff spot, and he will need to stay healthy to help them defend their title.

6. Damian Lillard (8 seasons)

Damian Lillard’s first playoff appearance came in the 2013-2014 season, a time when the Western Conference was as competitive as ever. The Portland Trail Blazers finished with 54 wins, yet were only the fourth seed in the West, highlighting how fierce the competition was. Lillard's leadership helped the Blazers consistently secure playoff berths, which is an impressive feat given their roster.

The furthest Lillard took his team was in 2019, when they reached the Western Conference Finals. After that, however, the Blazers began to slide, and they experienced multiple first-round exits, including a tough 2021 playoff loss to the Nuggets. Over the past two seasons, the Blazers missed the playoffs entirely, despite Lillard’s stellar individual performances. By 2023, after a season where Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, Lillard requested a trade, signaling his disappointment with the direction of the team.

5. Marcus Smart (9 seasons)

Marcus Smart was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2014, and throughout his nine seasons with the team, he has never missed the playoffs. During this time, Smart helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, although his shooting inconsistency sometimes proved to be a challenge in the postseason. His strong defense and leadership were vital for the Celtics, but his offensive struggles occasionally hindered the team. In 2023, the Celtics traded Smart, and the new acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis helped them win the championship in the first season after the trade.

4. Jae Crowder (11 seasons)

Jae Crowder made his first playoff appearance in 2014 with the Dallas Mavericks, but he did not receive much playing time in that series. As Crowder established himself in the NBA, he became a valuable 3-and-D player, capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. Over his career, Crowder played for multiple teams and helped the Heat and Suns make deep playoff runs, even reaching the Finals with the Suns in 2021.

3. Chris Paul (13 seasons)

Chris Paul’s playoff streak began in 2011 when he joined the Los Angeles Clippers. He helped turn the Clippers into a legitimate contender, although they never made it past the Western Conference Semifinals during his time there. After joining the Houston Rockets in 2017, he helped push the team to the Western Conference Finals, but missed Game 7 due to injury, and the Rockets were eliminated by the Warriors. In 2019, after another playoff loss to Golden State, Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Many expected him to tank, but he led the Thunder to the playoffs again.

In 2020, Paul joined the Phoenix Suns, where he led the team to the NBA Finals, though they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Suns were consistently one of the top teams in the West during Paul’s tenure, but his streak of consecutive playoff appearances was broken when he was traded away in 2023. The Suns have struggled this season, and like Paul, they too have been eliminated from playoff contention.

2. LeBron James (13 seasons)

LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, and after narrowly missing the playoffs in his rookie season, LeBron quickly turned the team into a contender. By 2006, LeBron was in his first playoff appearance, and from 2007 onward, he led the Cavaliers to success. Between 2011 and 2018, LeBron reached the NBA Finals eight times, winning three championships along the way. After joining the Lakers in 2018, he guided the team to a top-four finish in the West in his first season. However, injuries to LeBron and other key players led the Lakers to miss the playoffs that year, halting his streak at 13 consecutive seasons.

1. James Harden (16 seasons)

James Harden’s playoff streak began in 2009 when he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He quickly became a crucial part of the Thunder’s success, and alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the team made the playoffs. After leaving the Thunder, Harden went on to star for the Houston Rockets, where he became known for his incredible offensive skills. Despite the Rockets’ failure to reach the Finals during his tenure, Harden’s individual brilliance kept them in the playoffs year after year.

Even when many thought Harden’s level was declining, he continued to lead teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers to playoff spots. This season, despite significant injuries to Kawhi Leonard, Harden kept the Clippers competitive, and his playoff streak is still intact. With his current level of performance, Harden could continue to extend his record for consecutive playoff appearances for years to come.