Latrell Sprewell

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Lore & Background

Sprewell's tenure with the Knicks is defined by two distinct eras: miraculous playoff runs and a singular, career-altering incident. After helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in the 1999-2000 season, he signed a five-year, $62 million contract extension. However, the narrative shifted dramatically on December 1, 1997, an event that preceded his arrival but defined his reputation. When Warriors coach P. J. Carlesimo criticized his passing, Sprewell threatened to kill him, choked the coach for 7 to 10 seconds, and returned minutes later to land a blow. This led to a year-long suspension by the NBA (68 games), which he served before joining New York.

In Their Own Story

In the 2002-2003 season, Sprewell's time in New York took another strange turn during training camp. He reported with a broken hand, claiming he slipped on his yacht, but the Knicks fined him a record $250,000 for failing to report the incident immediately. When the New York Post claimed the injury resulted from a fight, Sprewell sued and lost. Despite this drama, he made NBA history that season by hitting 9 of 9 three-point shots in a single game against the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring a season-high 38 points. This record-tying performance stood out even as the Knicks missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Reader's Guide

Sprewell's role with the Knicks evolved from a bench contributor in his first partial season to a starting small forward who led the offense after Patrick Ewing was traded. He made his only All-Star appearance with New York during the 2000-2001 season, averaging 17.7 points per game. Known for his physical play and ability to score over 40 points in single games—such as a 49-point outburst against the Boston Celtics in 2001-2002—he was a scoring machine who could take over a series. However, his tenure ended abruptly after the 2002-2003 season when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a four-team deal involving Keith Van Horn.

Did You Know?

• Sprewell hit 9 of 9 three-point shots in one game versus the Los Angeles Clippers, a record later tied by Ben Gordon and Jalen Brunson.
• He was fined a record $250,000 by the Knicks for failing to report his broken hand sustained on his yacht.
• Sprewell led the 1999 NBA Finals in scoring with an average of 26.0 points per game despite the team's loss.
• His career was overshadowed by a 68-game suspension for choking and punching coach P. J. Carlesimo, which he served before joining New York.