Bulls vs Knicks

Lore & Background

Between 1966 and 1980, the Bulls and Knicks were inter-conference rivals, as the Bulls played in the Western Division/Conference during this period. Both teams were regularly present in the NBA playoffs during the late 1960s to mid-1970s, but neither met in the NBA Finals. In the 1980 offseason, the Bulls moved to the Eastern Conference, making their rivalry with the Knicks an intra-conference affair. The two teams' first playoff meeting was in the first round of the 1981 NBA playoffs, a best-of-three series. Chicago, under head coach Jerry Sloan, won both games to sweep the series against New York 2–0. In the 1984 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls used their first-round pick (3rd overall) to select shooting guard Michael Jordan. The next year, the New York Knicks used their first-round pick (1st overall) in the 1985 NBA draft to select center Patrick Ewing. The Knicks and Bulls met in the playoffs for the second time in 1989. The Bulls won Game 1 in New York, and all three in Chicago to upset the Knicks 4–2. When the two teams met again in 1991, Chicago cruised past New York in a 3-game sweep. In 1992, the series went to a decisive Game 7, which the Bulls won 110–81 to advance. In the 1992–93 season, the Knicks finished ahead of Chicago in the regular season and had home court advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite being down 2–0, the Bulls came back and won the next 4, including a 97–94 Game 5 victory in New York. In Game 4 of the series, Jordan scored 54 points, the most against the Knicks in a playoff game by any player. The series was also notable for Game 5; with the series tied 2-2, Knicks forward Charles Smith was stopped 4 straight times by a series of blocks and strips in the final seconds while trying to score. The Bulls won Game 6 96–88 to advance to the 1993 NBA Finals, where they beat the Suns in 6 games for their first three-peat. With Jordan's absence in 1993–94, the Knicks had the upper hand. The Bulls, led by Pippen and newcomer Toni Kukoč, met the Knicks in the second round, where the series went 7 games. Game 3 of the series was marred by a brawl between Jo Jo English and Derek Harper. Scottie Pippen famously refused to take the floor after Phil Jackson drew the final play for Kukoc, who hit a buzzer-beater to win the game. In one of the most argued calls in NBA history, a questionable foul was called by Hue Hollins in the closing

In Their Own Story

It was Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan sat on the bench in a suit and tie, watching helplessly as Scottie Pippen battled for every inch of hardwood against Patrick Ewing. The Knicks' defense wasn't just a strategy; it was a wall of muscle. Charles Oakley shoved with impunity, John Starks screamed through the chaos, and referees seemed to measure fouls with a heavy hand. In the final minutes, the score hung in the balance as the clock ticked down like a bomb. When the ball finally clanged against the rim on a crucial shot, the arena erupted into pure bedlam—a visceral testament to a rivalry that had transcended basketball to become a war of attrition.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is best understood through key playoff meetings: 1981 (Bulls sweep), 1989 (Bulls upset Knicks 4–2), 1991 (Bulls sweep), 1992 (Bulls win Game 7 110–81), 1993 Eastern Conference Finals (Bulls win 4–2 after being down 2–0, highlighted by Jordan's 54 points in Game 4 and Charles Smith's four missed shots in Game 5), 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Knicks win 4–3, featuring the Hue Hollins phantom call and Pippen's refusal to play the final play in Game 3), and 1996 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Bulls win 4–1). Notable players include Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, and John Starks.

Did You Know?

• The Bulls and Knicks first met in the playoffs in 1981, a best-of-three series that Chicago swept 2–0.
• Michael Jordan scored 54 points in Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, the most against the Knicks in a playoff game by any player.
• In Game 5 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, Knicks forward Charles Smith was blocked or stripped four straight times in the final seconds.
• Scottie Pippen famously refused to take the floor for the final play of Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals; Toni Kukoč hit the buzzer-beater to win the game.
• The only time the Knicks beat the Bulls in the playoffs during the rivalry's peak era was in 1994, when they won the Eastern Conference Semifinals 4–3.