Playing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NBA, the New York Knicks were established in 1946 as a member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Under their first head coach Joe Lapchick, the team found success early and were always playoff contenders.
The Knicks played in three consecutive Finals from 1950 to 1953, and have won eight division titles and four conference titles as of April 2024. Coached by Tom Thibodeau and led by star players Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, the Knicks will be hoping to make deep playoff runs in the coming seasons.
How many championships have the New York Knicks won?
The New York Knicks have won two NBA championships. Their first title came in 1970 and the second three years later, in 1973. Willis Reed was named NBA Finals MVP in both their championship runs.
The Knicks defeated the LA Lakers both times in the Finals. The Knicks won 4-3 in the 1970-71 NBA season to clinch their first NBA championship and 4-1 in the 1972-73 NBA season. The most memorable moment came in the seventh game of the 1970 NBA Finals where Reed played with a muscle tear in his right thigh.
Team Name | Head Coach | Against | Final Date and Year | Venue | New York Knicks Wins/Losses by Game in Series |
New York Knicks | Red Holzman | Los Angeles Lakers | May 8, 1970, 1969-70 | Madison Square Garden | 4-3 |
New York Knicks | Red Holzman | Los Angeles Lakers | May 10, 1973, 1972-73 | Madison Square Garden | 4-1 |
New York Knicks Finals Appearance History
The New York Knicks have been able to make it to the Finals eight times since being part of the NBA. They made three consecutive Finals from 1950-51 to 1952-53, losing to the Rochester Royals in the 1950-51 NBA Finals, and the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1951-52 and 1952-53 NBA Finals.
Year | Head Coach | Against | Venue | Result | |
1950-51 | Joe Lapchick | Rochester Royals | Lost 4-3 to Rochester Royals in the NBA Finals | ||
1951-52 | Joe Lapchick | Minneapolis Lakers | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lost 4-3 to Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA Finals | |
1952-53 | Joe Lapchick | Minneapolis Lakers | 69th Regiment Armory | Lost 4-1 to the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA Finals | |
1969-70 | Red Holzman | Los Angeles Lakers | Madison Square Garden | Won NBA final 4-3 against the Los Angeles Lakers | |
1971-72 | Red Holzman | Los Angeles Lakers | Madison Square Garden | Lost 4-1 to Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals | |
1972-73 | Red Holzman | Los Angeles Lakers | Madison Square Garden | Won NBA final 4-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers | |
1993-94 | Pat Riley | Houston Rockets | The Summit | Lost NBA finals 4-3 to Houston Rockets | |
1998-99 | Jeff Van Gundy | San Antonio Spurs | Madison Square Garden | Lost 4-1 in the NBA finals to San Antonio Spurs |
What team did the New York Knicks lose the Championship Finals against?
The New York Knicks lost their first Finals against the Rochester Royals in 1950-51. They then lost three Finals against the Lakers in 1952, 1953 and 1972. They were also defeated by the Houston Rockets in the 1994 Finals and by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1998-99 Finals.
New York Knicks Last Finals Appearance
The Knicks’ last Finals appearance was in the 1998-99 NBA season, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. The Knicks barely made the playoffs that season (27-23) and were the eighth seed in the east. However, they pulled off a remarkable upset by defeating the Miami Heat and became only the second team in NBA history that an eighth seed team defeated the top seed. They also became the first eighth seeded team to make it to Finals.
FAQs on New York Knicks Finals Appearances
A. The Knicks played eight NBA Finals, in 1950-51, 1951-52, 1952-53, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73, 1993-94 and 1998-1999 respectively.
A. The Knicks have won two NBA titles as of April 2024.
A. The Knicks have two championship rings as of April 2024.
A. Knicks have played in eight NBA Finals.
