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Westchester Knicks: Top 3 Moments Franchise History

By Chris Priczak

Jan 7, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) looks to pass as Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) defends during the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated New York Knicks 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) looks to pass as Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) defends during the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. Washington Wizards defeated New York Knicks 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Making The Playoffs, Part II

The Westchester Knicks struggled following the Showcase. The team ran into a tough challenge on January 29th and 30th against the best team in the D-League: the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Surprisingly, the Knicks had a solid outing against their opponent.

Six days later, the two teams met again. When the final buzzer sounded, the Knicks walked out of the Westchester County Center more confident than ever before. The Knicks won three of four games against the Skyforce. When the season came to an end, the Skyforce had 10 losses; three of those losses were against the Knicks.

While that was the final time the two teams met during the regular season, the two teams met again. This time it was the first round of the D-League Playoffs.

Westchester confident as it entered its first playoff game. The Knicks defeated the Skyforce three times during the regular season and felt like they could knock the 40-win team out from the playoffs.

This time around, it was different. This was a dominant Sioux Falls team that went 11-2 in the final two months of the regular season. The Skyforce were an improved team that had depth, which was beneficial in the playoffs.

April 5th, 2016 is a day that will be remembered by the Westchester Knicks. That was the first NBADL playoff game in franchise history.

With the D-League playoffs being contested in a best-of-three series, the first game was held in the lower seed’s city and the final two games were held in the higher seed’s city.

There were many guests on hand for the team’s first playoff game.

The New York Knicks are known for their celebrity row, but Westchester had its own celebrity row that night. Larry Johnson and John Starks were in attendance, along with former New York Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon.

Some of the 2015-16 Knicks players—Kristaps Porzingis, Cleanthony Early, Kyle O’Quinn, Langston Galloway, Sasha Vujacic and Jose Calderon— were in attendance supporting Westchester, as well.

The series started in Westchester, which should have given the Knicks a slight advantage, but that wasn’t the case.

Even though the Knicks were swept by the eventual NBADL champions, their first playoff match will always be remembered. Westchester’s season didn’t end the way the team wanted it to, but the Knicks are hoping the team returns to the playoffs next season.

The first playoff game had a lot of meaning. It showed all the growth the team experienced in the past year. In addition, it showed that general manager Allan Houston added the right players and coaches to this team.

The Knicks made large improvements from year one to year two, so it will be intriguing to see what the Westchester Knicks do in year three.

Next: No. 2: Part I

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