The New York Knicks, based in Manhattan and competing in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, are one of the NBA’s longest-running franchises. They play home games at Madison Square Garden, the shared home of the Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers.
The Knicks are one of two NBA teams located in New York City, the other being the Brooklyn Nets, and alongside the Boston Celtics, they are one of only two original NBA teams still playing in their original city.
Since their founding in 1946, the Knicks’ history has included championship highs, long rebuilding stretches, and renewed relevance in the modern era.
- Founded in 1946 by Ned Irish, the New York Knicks are one of the NBA’s original franchises.
- The team has won two NBA championships (1970 and 1973) and plays home games at Madison Square Garden.
- The franchise’s history spans championship dominance, prolonged rebuilding periods, and a modern resurgence led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Founding of the New York Knicks and the Birth of the NBA (1946–1949)
The Knicks were founded in 1946 by Ned Irish, a retired sportswriter, college basketball promoter, and president of Madison Square Garden. On June 6, 1946, Irish attended a meeting at the Commodore Hotel in New York City, where Max Kase, Walter A. Brown, and seventeen others established the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
Although Kase initially intended to operate the New York franchise himself, league rules required Madison Square Garden to own any professional team playing in the venue. As a result, the franchise was awarded to the Irish. Seeking a name that reflected New York’s identity, Irish convened his staff for a vote, which resulted in the name Knickerbockers. The term originated from Washington Irving’s book A History of New York and referred to descendants of the city’s original Dutch settlers before becoming a general term for New Yorkers.
The Knicks played their first game on November 1, 1946, defeating the Toronto Huskies 68–66 at Maple Leaf Gardens in front of 7,090 spectators. Leo Gottlieb scored 14 points to lead New York. This game is also the first contest in league history.
Early Competitive Identity and Joe Lapchick’s Era (1946–1956)
With no college draft in the league’s first season, the Knicks focused on signing local college players to build interest in professional basketball. The team held its first training camp at the Nevele Country Club in the Catskill Mountains, inviting 25 players for a three-week session.
The Knicks finished their inaugural season 33–27, earned a playoff berth, defeated the Cleveland Rebels in the quarterfinals, and were eliminated by the Philadelphia Warriors in the semifinals. In 1947, Joe Lapchick became head coach and implemented a fast-paced system built on ball movement.
That same year, the Knicks signed Wataru Misaka, making him the first non-Caucasian player in the BAA. Under Lapchick, the Knicks made nine consecutive playoff appearances beginning in 1947. Between 1951 and 1953, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals three straight times, losing to the Rochester Royals once and the Minneapolis Lakers twice.
Key players during this period included Carl Braun, Harry Gallatin, Dick McGuire, and Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, who became the first African American player signed by an NBA team. Lapchick resigned in January 1956, citing health-related issues, ending the franchise’s first sustained run of success.
Coaching Turnover and the Wilt Chamberlain Game (1956–1967)
Following Lapchick’s departure, the Knicks entered a period marked by frequent coaching changes and inconsistent results. Coaches during this span included Vince Boryla, Andrew Levane, Carl Braun as a player-coach, and Eddie Donovan.
One of the most infamous moments in franchise history occurred on March 2, 1962, when the Knicks played the Philadelphia Warriors in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In a 169–147 loss, the Knicks allowed Wilt Chamberlain to score an NBA-record 100 points.
Stability began to return in 1964 when the Knicks drafted Willis Reed, who made an immediate impact and was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Despite continued coaching changes, Reed’s presence laid the groundwork for a turnaround that accelerated with the hiring of Red Holzman midway through the 1967–68 season.
Championship Dominance Under Red Holzman (1967–1975)
Red Holzman’s arrival marked the most successful period in franchise history. The Knicks’ roster featured Willis Reed, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett, Bill Bradley, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, and Jerry Lucas.
During the 1969–70 season, the Knicks won 18 consecutive games, finished the regular season 60–22, and advanced to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 5, Reed tore a muscle in his right leg and missed the remainder of the game. Despite his absence, New York rallied from a 16-point deficit to win.
After losing Game 6, the Knicks returned home for Game 7, where Reed famously entered the court despite his injury, scored the Knicks’ first two baskets, and inspired a 113–99 victory. That season, Reed was named NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and NBA All-Star MVP, becoming the first player to win all three awards in the same season.
The Knicks captured their second NBA championship in 1973, again defeating the Lakers in five games. Following a loss to the Boston Celtics in the 1974 Eastern Conference Finals, Reed announced his retirement, signaling the end of the championship core.
Post-Championship Transition and Mixed Results (1975–1985)
After the championship era, the Knicks recorded their first losing season in eight years during 1974–75. Red Holzman stepped away, returned, and later retired as one of the winningest coaches in NBA history.
Although the team continued to make playoff appearances, they did not return to the NBA Finals. This period also saw the rise of Bernard King and continued roster turnover. Holzman’s influence extended beyond the Knicks, as former Knicks player Phil Jackson later credited him as a major influence on his coaching philosophy.
Patrick Ewing Era and 1990s Playoff Rivalries (1985–2000)
In 1985, the Knicks won the first NBA Draft Lottery and selected Patrick Ewing with the first overall pick. During his rookie season, Ewing averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds per game and won NBA Rookie of the Year.
Under head coaches Pat Riley and, later down the line, Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks developed a defense-first identity and became perennial playoff contenders. The team built intense rivalries with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and Miami Heat.
The Knicks reached the NBA Finals in 1994, losing to the Houston Rockets in seven games, and again in 1999, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Ewing played for the Knicks from 1985 to 2000 and remains the franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocks, and minutes played. He was traded on September 20, 2000, formally ending the era.
Decline and the Isiah Thomas Leadership Period (2000–2008)
After Ewing’s departure, the Knicks initially remained competitive but failed to advance deep into the playoffs. Head coach Jeff Van Gundy resigned on December 8, 2001, stating he had “lost focus.”
In 2003, Isiah Thomas was named team president and later head coach. Despite adding Stephon Marbury, the Knicks struggled on the court and faced significant off-court controversy, including a sexual harassment lawsuit that resulted in an $11.5 million settlement. During this period, the team tied franchise records for worst seasons, including multiple 23–59 finishes.
Rebuilding With Mike D’Antoni, Stoudemire, Carmelo, and Linsanity (2008–2013)
In 2008, Donnie Walsh became team president and hired Mike D’Antoni as head coach, shifting the franchise toward salary cap flexibility.
On July 5, 2010, the Knicks signed Amar’e Stoudemire to a five-year, $100 million contract. In February 2011, the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony via trade.
During the 2011–12 season, Jeremy Lin entered the rotation on February 4, 2012, leading the Knicks to a seven-game winning streak that became known as “Linsanity”, drawing widespread national and international attention.
The Knicks won the Atlantic Division in the 2012–13 season, finished 54–28, defeated the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, and were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the second round. Carmelo Anthony won the NBA scoring title that season.
Phil Jackson Presidency and Franchise Low Point (2013–2017)
Phil Jackson was named president of basketball operations in 2014. During his tenure, the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porziņģis in 2015, but on-court performance declined sharply.
The team finished 17–65 in the 2014–15 season, the worst record in franchise history, and endured a 16-game losing streak, the longest in team history. Jackson was dismissed in 2017, with the Knicks compiling an 80–166 record during his presidency.
Modern Revival Under Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau (2020–Present)
Leon Rose was appointed president on March 2, 2020, and hired Tom Thibodeau as head coach. In the 2020–21 season, the Knicks finished 41–31, recording their first winning season since 2012–13.
That season, Julius Randle was named NBA Most Improved Player, and Thibodeau earned NBA Coach of the Year honors. The Knicks returned to the playoffs, ending an eight-year drought.
In 2022, the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year contract. The team finished 47–35 in 2022–23, 50–32 in 2023–24, and 51–31 in 2024–25, reaching the conference semifinals twice and the conference finals once.
During the 2024 off-season, the Knicks traded Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diop to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.
In the 2025–26 season, the Knicks won the 2025 NBA Cup, defeating the San Antonio Spurs, with Jalen Brunson named Cup MVP.
Madison Square Garden, Retired Numbers, and Franchise Records
The Knicks have played home games at Madison Square Garden since 1968. The franchise has retired the numbers of Willis Reed (19), Walt Frazier (10), Patrick Ewing (33), Dave DeBusschere (22), Bill Bradley (24), Earl Monroe (15), Dick McGuire (15), Dick Barnett (12), and head coach Red Holzman (613).
The Knicks have won two NBA championships, eight conference titles, and five division titles, maintaining a continuous presence as one of the NBA’s most historically significant franchises.
