On November 8, 1978, the Nets and Sixers began a game like no other

It should have been a classic game to start the season. Simple Philadelphia – New Jersey in November. But it became one of the most incredible meetings in NBA history, a scenario that has never been repeated since. On November 8, 1978. therefore. Bernard King’s young Nets travel to Philadelphia to face the Sixers Julius Erving. The match is balanced. Then it changes in the third quarter.

After Bernard King’s breakthrough, winger Steve Meeks comes to the defense and commits a foul in attack. The Nets player is furious and takes his anger out on the referee. Except that he already made a technical error at the start of the match. So he takes a second, and here he is thrown out.

“It all started with that whistle on Bernard”, remembers Harvey CatchingsPhiladelphia football player that night in November 1978. “Then Kevin got angry and all I know is that the match got out of hand with all the technical fouls.”

Bernard King and Kevin Lowry make three technical fouls each!

The Kevin Harvey Catchings is talking about is Kevin Loughery, the coach of the Nets. Because Bernard King was not only pulled out of the match due to two technical fouls, but also received a third (which is not possible in the NBA) from referee Richie Powers, for hitting a chair when entering the locker room.

Kevin Loughery wanted to explain himself to the referees on the court, but he also committed three technical fouls – Richie Powers again. “I love Richie but he was happy with the technical fouls”explains the coach, also ejected on the spot.

When this moment of tension dissipates, the Nets find themselves without Bernard King or Kevin Lowery. Therefore, it is the assistant who must take control of the New Jersey bench. Even if Eric Money perfectly replaces Bernard King in scoring, with 37 points, the Sixers end up winning 137-133 in double overtime.

This slightly crazy match is over, but the story isn’t over.

End of match for replay…

The Nets didn’t want to stop there. They contacted the league, which did not appreciate Richie Powers’ avalanche of technical fouls. As a result, NBA head Larry O’Brien suspended the referee for five games.

Another measure proposed by Larry O’Brien: replay the end of the match, from the moment control of the game is lost. The calendar does not allow this moment to be placed before March 23, 1979. Why this date? Because the two franchises are facing off that night, in Philly. Therefore, the solution was found and accepted by both teams: in the afternoon we repeated the end of the match from November 8, 1978, and then immediately and in the evening the already scheduled match.

We meet on March 23, 1979, more than four months later, to resume at 5:50 in the third quarter. But surprises keep coming and will turn this longest match into the craziest match.

…with players switching sides

Between November 8, 1978 and March 23, 1979, there is a date of February 7, 1979 that will cement this game into NBA history. Indeed, that day, the Sixers and Nets reached a trade deal: Harvey Catchings, Ralph Simpson and money were sent to New Jersey in exchange for Eric Manny and Al Skinner.

So what about the game on March 23rd? Which side will the players who have just changed teams have to play on to resume the November 1978 encounter? The league decides: transferred players will play with their new team. An unprecedented situation: the players will play the same match with the jerseys of both teams!

“The strangest situation I’ve ever been in.” I laughed at that, so did Julius Erving. It was funny to everyone”summarizes Ralph Simpson. “I saw my former teammates on the court and it hit me”added Harvey Catchings. “I didn’t think it would be possible, then you see the players we spent more than four seasons with. It’s crazy.”

17:50 left and the Sixers lead 84-81. A player like Eric Manny who, we remember, scored 37 points on November 8, 1978 for the Nets, found himself in the colors of the Sixers and will finish the meeting with 23 points. Therefore, he dropped 14 points in this game like no other, but he is also the only player traded in February to score on that afternoon in March 1979 (four short points).

Eric Money therefore scored points for two different teams in the same game…

A grotesque situation and a match sheet

The incredible scenario of this match did not disturb its conclusion. Just like in November, the Sixers won again, 123-117. The meeting that started on November 8, 1978 has finally ended. The players could then go to the locker room to take a shower and rest, and a few hours later they would go to the match scheduled for March 23, 1979.

And once again, the Sixers won 110-98. Viewers therefore enjoyed five quarters plus five minutes and fifty seconds on the same day. “The fans are worth their money”state Kevin Loughery. “There were two games for the price of one.”

First of all, they witnessed an unusual episode in NBA history, with an extended match and players from both teams in the same match. As if all this wasn’t crazy enough, the two teams will meet in the playoffs a few weeks later. With always the same result: qualifying for Philadelphia.

On the official website of the NBA, we can read this sentence: “The absurdity of this situation makes it more likely that we will see someone break Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point record than we will see three players transferred again.” (Al Skinner did not play on March 23) be in both benches at the same time. »

Ralph Simpson seems to share the observation: “Years later, I still don’t believe it. It happened. I know, I was there.”