Knicks Date Book
A listing of some of the "most requested" dates and milestones in the Knickerbockers' 54-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 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 York's 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. CCNY's 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 Cousy's 20 points. George Mikan's two (underhanded) free throws with no time left in regulation send the game into the extra session. It's 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, Philadelphia's Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points as the Warriors defeat the Knicks, 169-147 at Hershey, Pa. Philadelphia's 169 points still stand 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 pro shot, a left side baseline jumper. Bradley winds up with eight points in 20 minutes, but it isn't 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, Philadelphia's Hal Greer scores 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 NBA's 50 Greatest Players at the League's Golden Anniversary celebration in 1996-97. The '68 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:
"What a game! What a game!" 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 (the streak will 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 'n roll history as the site of Alan Freed's 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 game's 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).
DECEMBER 25, 1984:
Bernard King authors the greatest single-game scoring performance in franchise history, pouring in 60 points in a 120-114 Christmas Day loss to New Jersey at the Garden.
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 seven 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 347 consecutive sellouts entering the 2000-01 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 "The Dunk", 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 game's key play, a followup, two-handed slam of Starks' 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. It's 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-plus 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 Toronto's 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, Chicago's Michael Jordan earns MVP honors with 23 points in the East's 135-114 win.
NOVEMBER 13, 1998:
Leukemia claims the life of Hall of Fame Coach Red Holzman 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 for the second of three straight years.
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 '90s.
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 Sprewell's last-second miss gives Spurs their first NBA title. It's the latest game calendarwise in NBA history.
SEPT 20, 2000:
An unforgettable era comes to an end as Patrick Ewing -- one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and the all-time franchise leader in virtually every category -- is traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team, 12-player trade, the largest single trade in NBA history.
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 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 York's 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. CCNY's 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 Cousy's 20 points. George Mikan's two (underhanded) free throws with no time left in regulation send the game into the extra session. It's 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, Philadelphia's Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points as the Warriors defeat the Knicks, 169-147 at Hershey, Pa. Philadelphia's 169 points still stand 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 pro shot, a left side baseline jumper. Bradley winds up with eight points in 20 minutes, but it isn't 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, Philadelphia's Hal Greer scores 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 NBA's 50 Greatest Players at the League's Golden Anniversary celebration in 1996-97. The '68 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:
"What a game! What a game!" 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 (the streak will 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 'n roll history as the site of Alan Freed's 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 game's 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).
DECEMBER 25, 1984:
Bernard King authors the greatest single-game scoring performance in franchise history, pouring in 60 points in a 120-114 Christmas Day loss to New Jersey at the Garden.
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 seven 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 347 consecutive sellouts entering the 2000-01 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 "The Dunk", 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 game's key play, a followup, two-handed slam of Starks' 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. It's 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-plus 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 Toronto's 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, Chicago's Michael Jordan earns MVP honors with 23 points in the East's 135-114 win.
NOVEMBER 13, 1998:
Leukemia claims the life of Hall of Fame Coach Red Holzman 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 for the second of three straight years.
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 '90s.
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 Sprewell's last-second miss gives Spurs their first NBA title. It's the latest game calendarwise in NBA history.
SEPT 20, 2000:
An unforgettable era comes to an end as Patrick Ewing -- one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and the all-time franchise leader in virtually every category -- is traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in a four-team, 12-player trade, the largest single trade in NBA history.
