dates and milestones in the KnickerbockersΓÇÖ 53-year history
as a charter member of the NBA
June 6, 1946
The Knicks are born at the first organizational meeting of the Basketball Association of America. New York is granted a charter franchise, along with the Boston (Celtics), Philadelphia (Warriors), Providence (Steamrollers), Toronto (Huskies), Washington (Capitols), Chicago (Stags), Cleveland (Rebels), Detroit (Falcons), Pittsburgh (Ironmen) and St. Louis (Bombers).
November 1, 1946
The First Game in Knicks History. Knicks defeat Toronto, 68-66 at fabled Maple Leaf Gardens. Leo Gottlieb leads the Knicks with 12 points.
November 11, 1946
The Big Apple sees New YorkΓÇÖs Team for the first time, as the Knicks make their home debut. Before a crowd of 17,205 at the Old Garden on 49th Street, the Knicks lose to Chicago in overtime, 78-68. CCNYΓÇÖs Sonny Hertzberg leads the Knicks with 14 points.
April 12, 1952
In the first game of the NBA Finals against the Lakers at St. Paul, the Knicks are victimized by a legendary non-call by officials Sid Borgia and Stan Stutz. Late in the first period, New York’s Al McGuire hits a driving layup, and is fouled. However, McGuire is sent to the line for two free throws…Borgia and Stutz merely called the foul, and neither saw the ball go in the basket! Despite the protestations of coach Joe Lapchick (including a personal appeal to NBA commissioner Maurice Podoloff, seated at courtside), the call stands. McGuire goes to the line and hits one of two free throws. So, instead of a possible three points on the play, the Knicks get just one. Ultimately, it proves most costly as the Lakers win in overtime, 83-79, en route to a seven-game series triumph.
January 21, 1954
The Old Garden hosts the NBA All-Star Game for the first time, and 16,487 see the East triumph in overtime, 98-93 behind Bob CousyΓÇÖs 20 points. George MikanΓÇÖs two (underhanded) free throws with no time left in regulation send the game into the extra session. ItΓÇÖs the first of three NBA All-Star Games that will be played at the Old Garden.
March 2, 1962
In the greatest single-game scoring performance in NBA history, PhiladelphiaΓÇÖs Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points as the Warriors defeat the Knicks, 169-147 at Hershey, Pa. PhiladelphiaΓÇÖs 169 points still stands as an all-time opposition high vs. Knicks.
December 9, 1967
Before a packed Garden house of 18,499 (one of only six times the Knicks sold out the Old Garden) and a worldwide press contingent, Bill Bradley makes his long-awaited Knicks debut. Entering the game at the start of the second quarter, Dollar Bill nails his first shot, a right side baseline jumper. Bradley winds up with eight points in 20 minutes, but it isnΓÇÖt enough as the Knicks lose to Detroit, 124-121.
December 27, 1967
Red Holzman is named head coach, replacing Dick McGuire (the two exchange positions, with McGuire named head scout).
January 23, 1968
Three weeks before closing its doors forever, the Old Garden plays host to its third and last NBA All-Star Game. Before a sellout crowd of 18,422, PhiladelphiaΓÇÖs Hal Greer scorers 21 points (19 in the third quarter) to lead the East to a 144-124 win. Of the 27 players and coaches selected to participate in the 1968 Game, 15 of them would be named among the NBAΓÇÖs 50 Greatest Players at the LeagueΓÇÖs Golden Anniversary celebration in 1996-97. The ΓÇÖ68 All-Star Game is also the first NBA All-Star Game to be televised live from coast-to-coast on a major network (ABC) in prime time.
February 10 and 14, 1968
Farewell to one home, hello to another. On the 10th, the Knicks play their last game at the Old Garden; then, four days later, play their first game at the New Garden. The Knicks win both, taking the finale on 49th Street, 115-97 over the 76ers, then winning their first game at 33rd and 7th, 114-102 over San Diego.
December 19, 1968
The Trade…Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives to Detroit for Dave DeBusschere.
November 28 1969
ΓÇ£What a game! What a game!ΓÇ¥ shouts TV voice Bob Wolff. Knicks score six points in the final 16 seconds to defeat Cincinnati, 106-105, and run their winning streak to a then-NBA record 18 straight games (streak will come to an end the next night against Detroit at MSG). The game against the Bob Cousy-coached Royals is played at the old Cleveland Arena, later the original home of the Cavs and immortal in rock ΓÇÿn roll history as the site of Alan FreedΓÇÖs legendary 1952 Moondog Coronation Ball.
May 8, 1970
Champs! Knicks 113, Lakers 99 in Game Seven of the Finals at MSG.
November 18, 1972
Trailing Milwaukee 86-68 late in the fourth quarter, Knicks run off 19 straight points in the gameΓÇÖs final 5:11 to defeat the Bucks, 87-86 at MSG, in perhaps the most famous regular season game in club history.
May 10, 1973
Champs again! Knicks 102, Lakers 93 in Game Five of the Finals at the LA Forum.
January 31-February 1, 1984
Back-to-back 50-point games for Bernard King (at San Antonio and Dallas).
March 23, 1985
On his way to becoming the first and only Knick to lead the League in scoring (32.9 ppg), Bernard King suffers a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee in a game at Kansas City, an injury that will haunt the Knicks for years to come.
May 12, 1985
Knicks win the first-ever NBA Lottery, enabling them to select Georgetown center Patrick Ewing in the upcoming NBA Draft.
May 6, 1990
Knicks complete one of the most stunning turnarounds in Playoff history with a 121-114 Game Five victory at Boston, enabling them to snap an overall 26-game losing streak at Boston Garden and become just the third team in League history to rally from an 0-2 deficit to win a best-of-five series.
March 1, 1991
David W. Checketts named Knicks president.
May 31, 1991
Pat Riley named head coach.
December 18, 1992
Knicks end eight years of frustration at Boston Garden, routing the Celtics 113-87 to break a 23-game regular season losing streak on the fabled parquet floor (first regular season win at Boston since Feb. 29, 1984).
February 2, 1993
A below-capacity Tuesday night crowd of 17,302 sees the Knicks defeat Washington, 105-100 at The Garden. More than six years later, it still stands as the last time the Knicks failed to sell out a regular season or Playoff home game (a streak of 298 consecutive sellouts entering the 1999-2000 season).
May 25, 1993
In the final minute of Game Two of the East Finals against Chicago, John Starks authors perhaps the single most famous play in Knicks history, splitting the Bulls defense for ΓÇ£The DunkΓÇ¥, a driving, lefthanded tomahawk slam that sends the Garden into a frenzy. The play, coming with 47.3 seconds left, gives the Knicks a five-point lead in their eventual 96-91 win. (Knicks led series 2-0 after this game, but would fall to the Bulls in six).
May 22, 1994
Knicks end the three-year championship reign of the Chicago Bulls with an 87-77 win in Game Seven of the East Semis at MSG.
June 5, 1994
Knicks earn their first trip to the NBA Finals in 21 years, defeating Indiana 94-90 in Game Seven of the East Finals at MSG. Ewing authors the gameΓÇÖs key play, a followup, two-handed slam of StarksΓÇÖ missed layup, to give NY the lead for good with 26.9 seconds left.
June 22, 1994
Knicks title dreams fall one game short of reality as they lose Game Seven of the Finals, 90-84 at Houston. ItΓÇÖs their 25th Playoff game of the season, still an all-time NBA record.
March 28, 1995
The Double Nickel Game…Two weeks after returning to basketball, Chicago’s Michael Jordan scores 55 points (21-37 FGA, 3-4 from Downtown, 10-11 FTA) to lead Bulls to a 113-111 win over the Knicks at MSG.
June 15, 1995
Pat Riley resigns as head coach, after leading Knicks to four 50+ win seasons, two Atlantic Division titles, two trips to the Conference Finals, and the 1994 Eastern Conference Championship.
March 8, 1996
Jeff Van Gundy named head coach, replacing Don Nelson.
November 1, 1996
Fifty years to the day after playing their first game, the Knicks return to TorontoΓÇÖs Maple Leaf Gardens to open their 50th Anniversary season, defeating the Raptors 107-99.
December 20, 1997
Ewing suffers the most devastating injury of his career, a Lunate dislocation and torn ligaments of the right wrist, in the final seconds of the first half of a 98-78 loss at Milwaukee. The injury will sideline the perennial All-Star until the second round of the Playoffs.
February 8, 1998
Garden IV hosts its first NBA All-Star Game, the first mid-season classic in New York in 30 years. An All-Star for the 12th (and final) time, ChicagoΓÇÖs Michael Jordan earns MVP honors with 23 points in the EastΓÇÖs 135-114 win.
November 13, 1998
Hall of Fame coach Red Holzman dies of leukemia at age 78.
May 16, 1999
The Shot (first version)…Allan Houston’s running one-hander hits off both the rim and the backboard, then drops through with 0.8 seconds left, giving the Knicks a thrilling 78-77 win in the deciding Game Five of the first Playoff round at Miami. Knicks become just the second eighth-seeded team in Playoff history to defeat a first-seed, and knock the arch-rival Heat out of the Playoffs in the first round for the second straight year.
June 5, 1999
The Shot (second version)…Larry Johnson’s first career four-point play (3PT FGM, fouled by Antonio Davis, FTM), with 5.7 seconds left, echoes throughout the basketball world and gives the Knicks a 92-91 win over Indiana in Game Three of the East Finals at MSG.
June 11, 1999
Knicks become the first eighth-seeded team in NBA history to win a conference title, defeating Indiana 90-82 in Game Six of the East finals at MSG, to earn their second Eastern Conference Championship in the decade of the ΓÇÿ90s.
June 25, 1999
One of the most memorable Playoff runs in club history comes to an end as Knicks drop Game Five of the Finals, 78-77 to San Antonio at MSG, as Latrell SprewellΓÇÖs last-second miss gives Spurs their first NBA title. ItΓÇÖs the latest game calendarwise in NBA history.
