New York Knicks

The New York Knicks: A storied franchise with championships in 1970, 1973, and 2026.

The New York Knickerbockers, commonly called the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Madison Square Garden, an arena it shares with the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). They are one of two NBA teams in New York City, the other being the Brooklyn Nets.

Quick Facts

Conference: Eastern
Division: Atlantic
Founded: 1946
History: New York Knicks; 1946–present
Arena: Madison Square Garden
Location: New York City, New York
Sponsor: Experience Abu Dhabi
President: Leon Rose

Lore & Background

Established in 1946 by Ned Irish, the New York Knicks were among the founding members of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to form the NBA. Under their first head coach, Joe Lapchick, the Knicks were a perennial playoff contender, reaching three consecutive NBA Finals between 1951 and 1953 but never winning a championship. After Lapchick resigned in 1956, the franchise entered a prolonged decline, reaching the playoffs once between 1956 and 1966.

The Knicks returned to prominence in the late 1960s under head coach Red Holzman, winning their first NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. They made six playoff appearances in the 1980s but did not reach the NBA Finals. In the 1990s, led by Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing and the team's physical, defense-oriented style under head coaches Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals in 1994 and 1999, but did not win a championship.

After Ewing's departure, the Knicks entered another prolonged period of playoff absences, and although Hall of Fame forwards Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire led the team to a division title in 2013 (their first in 19 years), the team suffered their worst-ever regular season records thereafter. After signing guard Jalen Brunson in 2022, and acquiring Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns between 2023 and 2024, the Knicks returned to playoff contention and won the NBA championship in 2026, ending their 53-year championship drought.

Reader's Guide

The Knicks were founded in 1946 as a charter member of the BAA. Their first head coach was Neil Cohalan, with Joe Lapchick taking over in 1947. The team played its first game on November 1, 1946, defeating the Toronto Huskies 68–66. The Knicks have won two NBA championships (1970 and 1973) and one additional championship in 2026. Their home arena is Madison Square Garden.

Did You Know?

The Knicks were named after the pseudonym used by Washington Irving in A History of New York.
The Knicks signed Nathaniel Clifton in 1950, becoming the first professional basketball team to sign an African American player.
The Knicks' first training camp was held at the Nevele Country Club in the Catskill Mountains.

The Draft of Titans and the Rise of Dynasties

While it confirms Patrick Ewing was a key figure for the Knicks, it provides no details on his selection process relative to Chicago or the resulting six championships won by the Bulls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defined the Bulls versus Knicks rivalry?

This intense competition peaked during the 1990s when both teams fought for control over the Eastern Conference. It was characterized by physical play and repeated playoff meetings that tested Chicago's dominance.