New York Knicks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New York Knicks |
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| Conference | Eastern | ||
| Division | Atlantic | ||
| Founded | 1946 | ||
| History | New York Knicks 1946–present |
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| Arena | Madison Square Garden | ||
| Location | New York, New York | ||
| Team colors | Royal blue, orange, silver, black, white |
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| Main sponsor | Experience Abu Dhabi | ||
| President | Leon Rose | ||
| General manager | Gersson Rosas | ||
| Head coach | Mike Brown | ||
| Ownership | Madison Square Garden Sports (James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman) | ||
| Affiliation(s) | Westchester Knicks | ||
| Championships | 2 (1970, 1973) | ||
| Conference titles | 4 (1972, 1973, 1994, 1999) | ||
| Division titles | 8 (1953, 1954, 1970, 1971, 1989, 1993, 1994, 2013) | ||
| Retired numbers | 8 (10, 12, 15, 15, 19, 22, 24, 33, 613) | ||
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The New York Knicks, also known as the New York Knickerbockers, are a professional basketball team from Manhattan, New York City. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks play their home games at Madison Square Garden. They share this arena with the New York Rangers hockey team. The Knicks are one of two NBA teams in New York City, the other being the Brooklyn Nets. They are also one of only two original NBA teams still in their founding city, the other being the Boston Celtics.
The team was started by Ned Irish in 1946. They were one of the first teams in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). This league later joined with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to form the NBA. The Knicks had a lot of success in their early years. They often made it to the playoffs under their first head coach, Joe Lapchick. From 1950, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals three times in a row, but they lost each time.
In the late 1960s, Red Holzman became the head coach. He helped the Knicks become a top team again. Holzman led the Knicks to two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. The Knicks of the 1980s had mixed results, making the playoffs six times but never reaching the NBA Finals.
In the 1990s, the Knicks were led by their star center, Patrick Ewing. This time was known for exciting rivalries with teams like the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and Miami Heat. They were famous for their tough defense under coaches Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy. They made it to the NBA Finals in 1994 and 1999 but did not win a championship during this period.
Since 2000, the Knicks have faced challenges. However, in the 2012–13 season, they won their first division title in 19 years. This team was led by forwards Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. They were eventually knocked out of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks did not make the playoffs for eight years after that. But in 2020–21, they returned to the playoffs. They were led by forward Julius Randle and young star RJ Barrett, who was picked third in the 2019 NBA draft.
Contents
- Team History
- Early Years (1946–1967)
- Championship Years (1967–1975)
- Post-Championship Years (1975–1985)
- The Patrick Ewing Era (1985–2000)
- Downfall (2000–2003)
- Isiah Thomas Era (2003–2008)
- Rebuilding (2008–2010)
- Arrival of Carmelo Anthony (2010–2013)
- Phil Jackson Era (2013–2017)
- Further Struggles (2017–2020)
- Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns Era (2020–Present)
- Season-by-season Record
- Logos and Uniforms
- Team Personnel
- Franchise Leaders
- Individual Awards
- Rivalries
- See also
Team History
Early Years (1946–1967)
In 1946, basketball was becoming very popular in New York City. Ned Irish, a college basketball promoter and president of Madison Square Garden, helped create the Basketball Association of America (BAA). This league aimed to showcase college players professionally. Irish wanted a special name for his New York team. His staff voted, and the name "Knickerbockers" was chosen. This name comes from an old nickname for descendants of Dutch settlers in New York.
Irish hired Joe Lapchick as the head coach. The Knicks played their first game on November 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies. They won 68–66. The Knicks finished their first season with a good record and made the playoffs.
Under Coach Lapchick, the Knicks made the playoffs nine years in a row starting in 1947. They signed Carl Braun and Wataru Misaka, who was the first non-Caucasian player in the BAA. The team reached the NBA Finals three times in the early 1950s (1951, 1952, 1953) but lost each time. Key players from this era included Carl Braun, Harry Gallatin, and Dick McGuire.
After Lapchick left in 1956, the team struggled for several years. They went through different coaches, including Vince Boryla and Andrew Levane. In 1962, the Knicks were part of a famous game where Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA-record 100 points against them.
In 1964, the Knicks drafted Willis Reed, a talented center who became the NBA Rookie of the Year. This marked the beginning of a turnaround for the team.
Championship Years (1967–1975)
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Willis Reed and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, under coach Red Holzman, brought the Knicks two NBA Championships in the early 1970s
In the middle of the 1967–68 season, Red Holzman became the head coach. His arrival made a big difference. The team improved and made the playoffs. They also had talented rookies like Phil Jackson and Walt Frazier.
The next season, the team added Dave DeBusschere. They finished with a 54–28 record and made it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1953.
The 1969–70 season was historic. The Knicks won 18 games in a row, setting a new NBA record at the time. They finished with a 60–22 record, their best ever at that point. They reached the NBA Finals to play the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 5, star player Willis Reed injured his leg. Despite his injury, the Knicks won that game.
In Game 7, Reed famously limped onto the court, inspiring his team. He scored the first two baskets, and even though he wasn't at full strength, the Knicks won the game 113–99, securing their first NBA championship. Reed was named the Finals MVP, becoming the first player to win the All-Star MVP, league MVP, and Finals MVP in one season.
The Knicks continued their success. With new players like Jerry Lucas and Earl Monroe, they returned to the Finals in 1972, losing to the Lakers. But in 1973, they beat the Lakers in five games to win their second NBA title. After the 1973–74 season, Willis Reed retired, and the team's fortunes began to change.
Post-Championship Years (1975–1985)
After their championship era, the Knicks had a losing record in the 1974–75 season for the first time in eight years. They still made the playoffs but lost in the first round. Coach Holzman was replaced by Willis Reed in 1977, but Holzman returned in 1978.
The team improved in the 1980–81 season with a 50–32 record but lost in the playoffs. Holzman retired the next season as one of the most successful coaches in NBA history.
Hubie Brown became the head coach in 1982. The team, with new player Bernard King, improved and made the playoffs. However, they struggled in the 1984–85 season, finishing with a 24–58 record. Bernard King also suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for two years.
The Patrick Ewing Era (1985–2000)
In 1985, the Knicks won the first-ever NBA draft lottery and picked star center Patrick Ewing from Georgetown University. Ewing quickly became a leader, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. However, the team still struggled in his first two seasons.
The team improved significantly in the 1987–88 season with new coach Rick Pitino and rookie point guard Mark Jackson. They made the playoffs. The next season, they traded for Charles Oakley and won their first division title in 18 years.
Pitino left in 1989, and assistant Stu Jackson took over. The Knicks continued to make the playoffs but were often stopped by the Chicago Bulls.
Pat Riley and Don Nelson Years (1991–1996)
In 1991, Pat Riley, a coach who had won four NBA titles with the Lakers, became the Knicks' head coach. Riley brought a tough, defensive style of play. The team, led by Ewing and guard John Starks, improved to a 51–31 record. They faced the Bulls in the playoffs, losing a close seven-game series.
The 1992–93 season was even better, with the Knicks winning the Atlantic Division with a 60–22 record. They reached the Eastern Conference finals again but lost to the Bulls.
When Michael Jordan retired from basketball before the 1993–94 season, many thought it was the Knicks' chance to reach the NBA Finals. They won the Atlantic Division again. In the playoffs, they played a record 25 games, finally beating the Bulls and then the Indiana Pacers in a tough series to reach their first NBA Finals since 1973.
In the Finals, the Knicks played a defensive series against the Houston Rockets. They lost in Game 7, partly due to John Starks' difficult shooting performance.
The next year, the Knicks finished second in their division. They faced the Pacers again in the second round, losing in Game 7 after a missed shot by Patrick Ewing. Coach Riley resigned after the season. Don Nelson became the new coach, but his style didn't fit the team, and he was fired after 59 games. Longtime assistant Jeff Van Gundy took over.
Jeff Van Gundy Years (1996–2000)
Under Van Gundy, the Knicks returned to their defense-first style. With new players like Larry Johnson and Allan Houston, they had a 57–25 record in the 1996–97 season. In the playoffs, they faced the Miami Heat, coached by Pat Riley. A fight in Game 5 led to suspensions for key Knicks players, and they lost the series.
The 1997–98 season was affected by an injury to Patrick Ewing. The team still beat the Heat in the first round but lost to the Pacers in the second round.
Before the 1998–99 season, the Knicks traded for Latrell Sprewell. They barely made the playoffs with a 27–23 record. However, they went on an amazing run, becoming only the second #8 seed to beat a #1 seed (the Heat) in the first round. They then swept the Atlanta Hawks and beat the Pacers to become the first #8 seed to reach the NBA Finals. In the Finals, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
The 1999–2000 season was Patrick Ewing's last in New York. The Knicks had a 50–32 record and won two playoff series before losing to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. After the season, Ewing was traded, ending an era of many playoff appearances but no championships.
Downfall (2000–2003)
After Ewing left, the Knicks still had a good regular season record of 48–34. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Toronto Raptors. Coach Van Gundy resigned in December 2001, and the team finished with a losing record, missing the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
The Knicks continued to struggle, signing older players and facing salary cap issues. They missed the playoffs again in the 2002–03 season.
Isiah Thomas Era (2003–2008)
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In December 2003, Isiah Thomas became the Knicks' president. He made many changes, including hiring Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens as coach and trading for point guard Stephon Marbury. The team made the playoffs in 2004 but were swept by the New Jersey Nets.
The next season, Wilkens resigned, and Herb Williams became interim coach. The Knicks continued to struggle. In 2005, Larry Brown was hired as coach. The team had a very bad season, finishing 23–59. Brown was fired after one season.
Thomas then took over as head coach. The team continued to struggle. On December 16, 2006, the Knicks and the Denver Nuggets had a big argument during their game. A few days later, David Lee made a memorable play, tipping in a basket with 0.1 seconds left to win a double overtime game against the Charlotte Bobcats. The Knicks finished the 2006–07 season with a 33–49 record.
The Knicks had another tough season in 2007–08, finishing with a 23–59 record, tying their worst ever.
Rebuilding (2008–2010)
In April 2008, Donnie Walsh became the new team president. He aimed to improve the team's financial situation and make them competitive again. In May 2008, Mike D'Antoni was named the new head coach. The Knicks drafted Danilo Gallinari.
The Knicks made several trades to free up salary cap space for future star players. They traded Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph. The team improved slightly in D'Antoni's first season, finishing 32–50. David Lee had a great season, leading the league in double-doubles.
In 2009, the Knicks drafted Jordan Hill. They continued to make trades to prepare for the 2010 off-season, when many top players would be available. The Knicks finished the 2009–10 season with a 29–53 record.
Arrival of Carmelo Anthony (2010–2013)
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In July 2010, the Knicks signed star forward-center Amar'e Stoudemire. This signing was seen as a major step for the team. They also acquired Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov. With these new players, the Knicks became one of the most valuable teams in the NBA again.
The team had a 28–26 record before the All-Star break, their best start in years. In February 2011, the Knicks made a big trade to get Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony. They also received Chauncey Billups and other players.
The Knicks made the playoffs in 2011 for the first time since 2004. They also had their first winning season since 2001. However, they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Donnie Walsh stepped down as president, and Glen Grunwald became interim president.
After a lockout, the Knicks acquired center Tyson Chandler in December 2011. They also signed point guards Mike Bibby and Baron Davis. The team struggled early in the season with injuries and inconsistent play.
"Linsanity"
In February 2012, with the team struggling, coach D'Antoni gave a chance to third-string point guard Jeremy Lin. Lin, who had been picked up off waivers, played incredibly well. He scored 25 points in his first game and led the Knicks to a seven-game winning streak. This amazing period was called "Linsanity" and gained worldwide attention.
The team signed J. R. Smith to add more shooting. However, after Anthony returned from injury, the team struggled again. Coach Mike D'Antoni resigned in March 2012, and assistant Mike Woodson became the interim head coach.
Under Mike Woodson
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Under Woodson, the Knicks finished the regular season strong, making the playoffs for the second year in a row. Their 36–30 record was their best winning percentage since the 2000–01 season. They faced the Miami Heat in the first round and lost 4–1. Despite the playoff exit, Woodson was named the full-time head coach.
In the 2012 off-season, the Knicks acquired veteran point guard Jason Kidd and brought back Marcus Camby and Raymond Felton. They also re-signed J. R. Smith and Steve Novak. However, they lost Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets. The Knicks also signed Rasheed Wallace, who came out of retirement.
The Knicks started the 2012–13 season with an 18–5 record, their best start since 1993. They went on a 13-game winning streak, including wins against the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. On April 9, they won the Atlantic Division title for the first time since 1994. They also set an NBA record for most three-pointers in a season.
On May 3, the Knicks beat the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, their first playoff series win since 2000. However, they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round. Jason Kidd retired after the season. The Knicks drafted Tim Hardaway Jr. and acquired Andrea Bargnani.
Phil Jackson Era (2013–2017)
In late 2013, Steve Mills became general manager. In 2014, former coach Phil Jackson was named president of basketball operations. Coach Mike Woodson was fired and replaced by Derek Fisher, who had played for Jackson. The Knicks finished the 2013–14 season with a 37–45 record. However, Carmelo Anthony set a new Knicks franchise record by scoring 62 points in one game.
In 2014, Forbes magazine named the Knicks the most valuable basketball team in the world. In the off-season, the Knicks traded Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks. They drafted Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
The 2014–15 season was the worst in franchise history, with a 17–65 record. They also bought out Amar'e Stoudemire's contract.
In 2015, the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porziņģis with the fourth overall pick. Coach Fisher was fired midway through the next season, and Kurt Rambis became interim coach. Jeff Hornacek was then hired as head coach. In 2016, the Knicks traded for former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. They also signed Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings, and Courtney Lee. However, the team struggled again, and Phil Jackson left the Knicks after three years. Under Jackson, the Knicks had three losing seasons and missed the playoffs three times.
Further Struggles (2017–2020)
After Jackson left, Scott Perry became general manager, and Steve Mills became president. Carmelo Anthony wanted to be traded. He was eventually traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in September 2017. This made Kristaps Porziņģis the new main player for the team.
The Knicks also re-signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and acquired Emmanuel Mudiay. However, the season ended with a 29–53 record. Coach Hornacek was fired and replaced by David Fizdale.
In 2018, the Knicks drafted Kevin Knox II and Mitchell Robinson. They also signed Mario Hezonja and Noah Vonleh. After a bad start to the 2018–19 season, Porziņģis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks finished with the worst record in the league (17–65). However, young players like Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, and Mitchell Robinson showed promise. In the 2019 NBA draft, the Knicks picked RJ Barrett third overall.
For the 2019–20 season, the Knicks signed several new players, including Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, and Julius Randle. In February 2020, Steve Mills was fired as president.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns Era (2020–Present)
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On March 2, 2020, Leon Rose became the team president. On July 30, Tom Thibodeau was hired as head coach. Julius Randle had a fantastic season in 2020–21 and was named an All-Star. On May 3, the Knicks clinched their first winning season since 2013. On May 12, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2013, ending an eight-year drought. Randle was named NBA Most Improved Player, and Thibodeau was named NBA Coach of the Year. The Knicks faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs and lost in five games.
In the 2021 off-season, the Knicks kept many of their players and added Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. Randle also signed a contract extension.
In January 2022, the Knicks traded Kevin Knox II for Cam Reddish. The team struggled in the 2021–22 season, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference. Randle's performance declined, and the team faced questions about its direction.
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The 2022 off-season brought big changes. The Knicks traded several players to create salary cap space. In June 2022, they signed point guard Jalen Brunson, hoping he would bring stability to the team. The Knicks finished the 2022–23 season with a 47–35 record. Randle was an All-Star. In the first round of the 2023 playoffs, the Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, their first playoff series win since 2013. They then lost to the Miami Heat in the second round.
In 2024, both Brunson and Randle were named NBA All-Stars. The team finished with 50 wins and secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round of the playoffs. However, they lost to the Indiana Pacers in seven games in the second round. During the 2024 off-season, the Knicks traded Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diop to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Season-by-season Record
This table shows the last five seasons for the Knicks. For the full history, see List of New York Knicks seasons.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage
| Season | GP | W | L | W–L% | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2020–21 | 72 | 41 | 31 | .569 | 3rd, Atlantic | Lost in first round, 1–4 (Hawks) |
| 2021–22 | 82 | 37 | 45 | .451 | 5th, Atlantic | Did not qualify |
| 2022–23 | 82 | 47 | 35 | .573 | 3rd, Atlantic | Lost in conference semifinals, 2–4 (Heat) |
| 2023–24 | 82 | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2nd, Atlantic | Lost in conference semifinals, 3–4 (Pacers) |
| 2024–25 | 82 | 51 | 31 | .622 | 2nd, Atlantic | Lost in conference finals, 2–4 (Pacers) |
Logos and Uniforms
Early Designs (1946–1964)
The first Knicks logo featured a character called "Father Knickerbocker" dribbling a basketball. It used the team's famous blue and orange colors. Early home uniforms were white with blue and orange trim, while away uniforms were blue with orange and white trim.
Classic Roundball (1964–1992)
The Knicks then introduced a very famous logo: the word "Knicks" over a brown basketball. This is known as the "classic roundball logo." Their uniforms were updated with serifed fonts and side stripes.
Championship Era Uniforms (1968–1979; 1983–1997)
The Knicks wore a special uniform during their 1970 and 1973 championship seasons. It had an arched "NEW YORK" in orange lettering. A unique feature was the player's name on the back, which was in a straight block arched style. Later versions of this uniform included the interlocking "NY" logo on the shorts.
Crimson Red Era Uniforms (1979–1983)
For a short time, the Knicks changed their colors to navy and crimson red. The uniforms featured a different, flowing font for the team name.
Black-Accented Triangle (1992–2012)
In 1992, the Knicks updated their "roundball logo" to its current look, with a silver triangle accent. Black was added as a new accent color. They introduced blue and white alternate uniforms with black side stripes.
Modified Triangle (2012–Present)
The Knicks updated their logo again in 2012, removing the black color. They also unveiled new uniforms inspired by their championship era. These uniforms have a bolder "New York" script and gray as an accent color. The phrase Once A Knick, Always A Knick is on the uniform collar.
The Knicks also tried an orange alternate uniform in 2013, but they stopped using it after losing all six games they wore it in.
Since 2017, Nike has been the NBA's uniform provider. The Knicks have white "Association" and blue "Icon" uniforms. They also have special "Statement" and "City" uniforms. The "City" uniforms often pay tribute to New York City's culture, like firefighters or the city skyline. Some "City" uniforms have been designed in collaboration with the brand Kith.
Throwback Uniforms
The Knicks have worn many throwback uniforms over the years to celebrate their history. These include designs from their first season in 1946–47, the 1950s checkerboard uniforms, and the classic 1970s championship uniforms. They also wore special uniforms for events like Noche Latina and Christmas Day games.
Team Personnel
Current Roster
Draft Rights Held
The Knicks hold the rights to players drafted who are currently playing for teams outside the NBA. This means if these players decide to play in the NBA, the Knicks have the first chance to sign them.
| Draft | Round | Pick | Player | Pos. | Nationality | Current team | Note(s) | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 31 | James Nnaji | C |  Nigeria |
FC Barcelona (Spain) | Acquired from the Detroit Pistons (via Charlotte) | |
| 2021 | 2 | 34 | Rokas Jokubaitis | G |  Lithuania |
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (Israel) | Acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder | |
| 2017 | 2 | 50 | Mathias Lessort | C |  France |
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (Greece) | Acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers (via LA Clippers and Minnesota) | |
| 2017 | 2 | 58 | Ognjen Jaramaz | G |  Serbia |
Saski Baskonia (Spain) | ||
| 2016 | 2 | 57 | Wang Zhelin | C |  China |
Shanghai Sharks (China) | Acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies (via LA Lakers) | |
| 2015 | 2 | 39 | Juan Pablo Vaulet | F |  Argentina |
Zunder Palencia (Spain) | Acquired from the Indiana Pacers (via Brooklyn and Charlotte) | |
| 2015 | 2 | 57 | Nikola Radičević | G | Serbia |
Dziki Warsaw (Poland) | Acquired from the Denver Nuggets (via Detroit) | |
| 2013 | 2 | 59 | Bojan Dubljević | F |  Montenegro |
Casademont Zaragoza (Spain) | Acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers (via Minnesota) | |
| 2009 | 2 | 34 | Sergio Llull | G |  Spain |
Real Madrid (Spain) | Acquired from the Denver Nuggets (via Houston) | |
| 2009 | 2 | 57 | Emir Preldžić | G/F |  Turkey |
Orlovik Žepče (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | Acquired from the Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland, Washington, Dallas, Indiana, Toronto and Philadelphia) |
Retired Numbers
The Knicks have honored several legendary players and coaches by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team can wear that number.
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Walt Frazier 1 | G | 1967–1977 | December 15, 1979 |
| 12 | Dick Barnett | G | 1965–1973 | March 10, 1990 |
| 15 5 | Earl Monroe | G | 1971–1980 | March 1, 1986 |
| Dick McGuire 2 | G | 1949–1957 | March 14, 1992 | |
| 19 | Willis Reed 3 | C | 1964–1974 | October 21, 1976 |
| 22 | Dave DeBusschere | F | 1969–1974 | March 24, 1981 |
| 24 | Bill Bradley | F | 1967–1977 | February 18, 1984 |
| 33 | Patrick Ewing | C | 1985–2000 | February 28, 2003 |
| 613 | Red Holzman 4 | — | 1967–1977 1978–1982 |
March 10, 1990 |
Notes:
- 1 Also served as a broadcaster.
- 2 Also served as head coach (1965–1968) and scouting director.
- 3 Also served as head coach (1977–1978).
- 4 As head coach; the number represents his 613 victories coaching the Knicks.
- 5 Number retired twice, first for Monroe and six years later for McGuire.
- The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its member teams on August 11, 2022.
Basketball Hall of Famers
Many Knicks players and coaches have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for their amazing careers.
| No. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | No. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Tom Gola | G/F | 1962–1966 | 1976 | 32 | Jerry Lucas 1 | C | 1971–1974 | 1980 |
| 7 | Slater Martin | G | 1956 | 1982 | 19 | Willis Reed | C | 1964–1974 | 1982 |
| 24 | Bill Bradley | F/G | 1967–1977 | 1982 | 22 | Dave DeBusschere | F | 1969–1974 | 1983 |
| 10 | Walt Frazier | G | 1967–1977 | 1987 | 15 21 33 |
Earl Monroe | G | 1972–1980 | 1990 |
| 11 | Harry Gallatin 2 | F/C | 1948–1957 | 1991 | 15 | Dick McGuire | G | 1949–1957 | 1993 |
| 8 | Walt Bellamy 3 | C | 1965–1968 | 1993 | 11 | Bob McAdoo | F/C | 1976–1979 | 2000 |
| 33 | Patrick Ewing 4 | C | 1985–2000 | 2008 | 9 | Richie Guerin | G | 1956–1963 | 2013 |
| 30 | Bernard King | F | 1982–1987 | 2013 | 8 19 |
Nathaniel Clifton | F | 1950–1956 | 2014 |
| 42 | Spencer Haywood | F/C | 1975–1979 | 2015 | 55 | Dikembe Mutombo | C | 2003–2004 | 2015 |
| 3 | Tracy McGrady | G/F | 2010 | 2017 | 1 | Maurice Cheeks | G | 1990–1991 | 2018 |
| 5 | Jason Kidd 5 | G | 2012–2013 | 2018 | 4 | Carl Braun 6 | G | 1947–1950 1952–1961 |
2019 |
| 44 | Paul Westphal | G | 1981–1983 | 2019 | 12 | Dick Barnett | G | 1965–1973 | 2024 |
| 4 | Chauncey Billups | G | 2011 | 2024 | 7 | Carmelo Anthony 7 | F | 2011–2017 | 2025 |
| Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 613 | Red Holzman | Head coach | 1967–1977 1978–1982 |
1986 | Lenny Wilkens 8 | Head coach | 2004–2005 | 1998 | |
| Larry Brown | Head coach | 2005–2006 | 2002 | Pat Riley | Head coach | 1991–1995 | 2008 | ||
| Don Nelson | Head coach | 1995–1996 | 2012 | Rick Pitino 9 | Head coach | 1987–1989 | 2013 | ||
| Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ned Irish | Founder/President | 1946–1974 | 1964 | Hubie Brown | Head coach | 1982–1986 | 2005 | ||
Notes:
- 1 In total, Lucas was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1960 Olympic team.
- 2 Also served as head coach (1965–1966).
- 3 In total, Bellamy was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1960 Olympic team.
- 4 In total, Ewing was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
- 5 In total, Kidd was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 2008 Olympic team.
- 6 Also served as head coach (1959–1961).
- 7 In total, Anthony was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice – as player and as a member of the 2008 Olympic team.
- 8 In total, Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times – as player, as coach and as a member of the 1992 Olympic team.
- 9 Also served as assistant coach (1983–1985).
All-Star Game Selections
Many Knicks players have been chosen to play in the annual NBA All-Star Game, which features the best players from the Eastern and Western Conferences.
- Vince Boryla – 1951
- Harry Gallatin – 1951–1957
- Dick McGuire – 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956
- Max Zaslofsky – 1952
- Carl Braun – 1953–1957
- Nathaniel Clifton – 1957
- Richie Guerin – 1958–1963
- Willie Naulls – 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962
- Ken Sears – 1958, 1959
- Johnny Green – 1962, 1963, 1965
- Tom Gola – 1963, 1964
- Len Chappell – 1964
- Willis Reed – 1965–1971
- Dick Barnett – 1968
- Dave DeBusschere – 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970–1974
- Walt Frazier – 1970–1976
- Bill Bradley – 1973
- Earl Monroe – 1975, 1977
- Bob McAdoo – 1977, 1978
- Bill Cartwright – 1980
- Micheal Ray Richardson – 1980, 1981, 1982
- Bernard King – 1984, 1985
- Patrick Ewing – 1986, 1988–1997
- Mark Jackson – 1989
- Charles Oakley – 1994
- John Starks – 1994
- Allan Houston – 2000, 2001
- Latrell Sprewell – 2001
- David Lee – 2010
- Amar'e Stoudemire – 2011
- Carmelo Anthony – 2012–2017
- Tyson Chandler – 2013
- Kristaps Porziņģis – 2018
- Julius Randle – 2021, 2023, 2024
- Jalen Brunson – 2024, 2025
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 2025
Franchise Leaders
These are some of the top players in Knicks history based on different statistics.
Bold means the player is still active with the team.
Italic means the player is still active but not with the team.
Points Scored (Regular Season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season
- Patrick Ewing (23,665)
- Walt Frazier (14,617)
- Willis Reed (12,183)
- Allan Houston (11,165)
- Carl Braun (10,449)
- Richie Guerin (10,392)
- Carmelo Anthony (10,186)
- Earl Monroe (9,679)
- Dick Barnett (9,442)
- Bill Bradley (9,217)
- Bill Cartwright (9,006)
- John Starks (8,489)
- Willie Naulls (8,318)
- Gerald Wilkins (8,258)
- Harry Gallatin (7,771)
- Charles Oakley (7,528)
- Julius Randle (7,445)
- Dave DeBusschere (6,957)
- Kenny Sears (6,854)
- Ray Williams (6,555)
Other Statistics (Regular Season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season
| Most minutes played | |
|---|---|
| Player | Minutes |
| Patrick Ewing | 37,586 |
| Walt Frazier | 28,995 |
| Charles Oakley | 23,959 |
| Willis Reed | 23,073 |
| Bill Bradley | 22,799 |
| Most rebounds | |
|---|---|
| Player | Rebounds |
| Patrick Ewing | 10,759 |
| Willis Reed | 8,414 |
| Charles Oakley | 7,291 |
| Harry Gallatin | 5,935 |
| Willie Naulls | 5,015 |
| Most assists | |
|---|---|
| Player | Assists |
| Walt Frazier | 4,791 |
| Mark Jackson | 4,005 |
| Dick McGuire | 2,950 |
| Carl Braun | 2,821 |
| Richie Guerin | 2,725 |
| Most steals | |
|---|---|
| Player | Steals |
| Patrick Ewing | 1,061 |
| Charles Oakley | 844 |
| Micheal Ray Richardson | 810 |
| Ray Williams | 750 |
| Charlie Ward | 744 |
| Most blocks | |
|---|---|
| Player | Blocks |
| Patrick Ewing | 2,758 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 620 |
| Bill Cartwright | 543 |
| Marvin Webster | 542 |
| Kurt Thomas | 479 |
Individual Awards
Many Knicks players and coaches have won important NBA awards for their outstanding performances.
NBA MVP
- Willis Reed – 1970
NBA Finals MVP
- Willis Reed – 1970, 1973
NBA Rookie of the Year
- Willis Reed – 1965
- Patrick Ewing – 1986
- Mark Jackson – 1988
NBA Sixth Man of the Year
- Anthony Mason – 1995
- John Starks – 1997
- J. R. Smith − 2013
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- Tyson Chandler – 2012
NBA Most Improved Player
- Julius Randle – 2021
NBA Clutch Player of the Year
- Jalen Brunson – 2025
NBA Coach of the Year
- Red Holzman – 1970
- Pat Riley – 1993
- Tom Thibodeau – 2021
NBA Sportsmanship Award
- Jason Kidd – 2013
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
- Mike Glenn – 1981
- Rory Sparrow – 1986
NBA scoring champion
- Bernard King – 1985
- Carmelo Anthony – 2013
NBA All-Star Game head coaches
- Joe Lapchick – 1951, 1953, 1954
- Red Holzman – 1970, 1971
- Pat Riley – 1993
- Jeff Van Gundy – 2000
All-NBA First Team
- Harry Gallatin – 1954
- Walt Frazier – 1970, 1972, 1974, 1975
- Willis Reed – 1970
- Bernard King – 1984, 1985
- Patrick Ewing – 1990
All-NBA Second Team
- Carl Braun – 1948, 1954
- Dick McGuire – 1951
- Harry Gallatin – 1955
- Richie Guerin – 1959, 1960, 1962
- Willis Reed – 1967–1969, 1971
- Dave DeBusschere – 1969
- Walt Frazier – 1971, 1973
- Patrick Ewing – 1988, 1989, 1991–1993, 1997
- Amar'e Stoudemire – 2011
- Carmelo Anthony – 2013
- Julius Randle – 2021
- Jalen Brunson – 2024, 2025
All-NBA Third Team
- Carmelo Anthony – 2012
- Tyson Chandler – 2012
- Julius Randle – 2023
- Karl-Anthony Towns – 2025
NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Dave DeBusschere – 1969–1974
- Walt Frazier – 1969–1975
- Willis Reed – 1970
- Micheal Ray Richardson – 1981
- Charles Oakley – 1994
- Tyson Chandler – 2013
NBA All-Defensive Second Team
- Patrick Ewing – 1988, 1989, 1992
- John Starks – 1993
- Charles Oakley – 1998
- Tyson Chandler – 2012
NBA All-Rookie First Team
- Art Heyman – 1964
- Jim Barnes – 1965
- Howard Komives – 1965
- Willis Reed – 1965
- Dick Van Arsdale – 1966
- Cazzie Russell – 1967
- Walt Frazier – 1968
- Phil Jackson – 1968
- Bill Cartwright – 1980
- Darrell Walker – 1984
- Patrick Ewing – 1986
- Mark Jackson – 1988
- Channing Frye – 2006
- Landry Fields – 2011
- Iman Shumpert – 2012
- Tim Hardaway Jr. – 2014
- Kristaps Porziņģis – 2016
- Willy Hernangómez – 2017
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
- Rod Strickland – 1989
- Langston Galloway – 2015
- Mitchell Robinson – 2019
- Immanuel Quickley – 2021
Rivalries
Boston Celtics
The New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics are two of the NBA's oldest teams, both starting in 1946. Their rivalry comes from the long-standing competition between New York City and Boston. This is similar to the Yankees–Red Sox in baseball.
The teams have played each other nine times in the playoffs. Their most recent playoff meeting was in the 2012–13 season. The Knicks, led by Carmelo Anthony, won the Atlantic Division title. They defeated the Celtics in the first round of the 2013 playoffs in six games.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are the Knicks' closest rivals because both teams are in New York City. The Knicks are in Manhattan, and the Nets are in Brooklyn. This rivalry is often compared to other New York sports rivalries, like the baseball "Subway Series" between the New York Yankees and New York Mets. It's sometimes called the "Clash of the Boroughs."
The Knicks and Nets have met three times in the playoffs. The Knicks won in 1983 and 1994, while the Nets won their last playoff series in 2004.
Chicago Bulls
The Knicks have a strong rivalry with the Chicago Bulls. This rivalry was most intense in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when both teams were top contenders in the playoffs. Famous players like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, and John Starks made these games very exciting.
The rivalry quieted down in the 2000s as both teams rebuilt. However, with the rise of players like Derrick Rose for the Bulls and Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony for the Knicks, the rivalry has become exciting again.
Indiana Pacers
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers began in 1993 and quickly became very intense. They played each other in the playoffs six times between 1993 and 2000. This rivalry was famous for the competition between Pacers star Reggie Miller and well-known Knicks fan Spike Lee. Miller was even nicknamed "The Knick-Killer" for his clutch plays against New York.
The rivalry was renewed in the 2013 NBA playoffs when the Pacers beat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They met again in the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, where the Pacers won in seven games.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat were another strong rival for the New York Knicks. These two teams met in the playoffs every year from 1997 to 2000, and all four series went to the maximum number of games. Pat Riley, who coached the Heat at the time, had previously coached the Knicks and led them to the 1994 NBA Finals. During these four playoff series, each team won two.
The teams met again in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, where the Heat won the series 4–1.
See also
In Spanish: New York Knicks para niños
