Sixers finish 3rd in NBA merchandise sales behind Warriors and Cavs

The Philadelphia 76ers were the No. 3 merchandise seller in the NBA this regular season, behind only the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, according to sales on the league's official online store released Tuesday morning.

It's the highest ranking the Sixers have had since they finished the 2002-03 season in the same position.

Sixers center Joel Embiid finished the regular season with the eighth-best-selling jersey, and forward Ben Simmons was 10th.

The 76ers have sold the most gear of any team since March, according to Fanatics, which runs the league's online and physical store in Manhattan.

"Much like our players, our brand resonates both locally and globally," said Chris Heck, president of business operations for the 76ers. "We feel like this brand accurately reflects the fun nature of this team."

For the third straight year, Warriors star Stephen Curry's jersey was the top seller in the NBA, while LeBron James finished second. Warriors forward Kevin Durant finished third, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was fourth and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving rounded out the top five.

It was a big jump for Antetokounmpo, who finished ninth last season in the annual jersey-sale rankings.

Among the top 15, only two players came from teams that didn't make the playoffs: New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (No. 7) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball (No. 12).