11 All-time great New York Knicks opening night performances
3. Bernard King, 34 points in 36 minutes in a win over Detroit at home (10.27.1984)
Bernard King use to light up the scoreboard when he was with the Knicks. King could put up 30, 40, 50, or 60 on any given night. On this opening night in the 1984-85 season, King fueled the Knickerbockers to a 20-point victory over the Detroit Pistons. He was so good that he scored 34 points in 36 minutes. Fans at the Garden that night saw a high-level offense; efficient and effective.
2. Patrick Ewing, 38 & 12 at Hornets in overtime win (11.2.1990)
One of the greatest NBA players of all time still holds the opening-night scoring record for the Knicks. In a thrilling overtime win on the road, Patrick Ewing put up 38 points to go with 12 rebounds. If he’d made all his free throws, he would’ve ended up with 42! That’s a way to start a season.
1. Carmelo Anthony scores 37 points in Christmas Day win over Boston at home (12.25.2011)
What better way to start the NBA season in Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day against a division rival? Due to the NBA lockout that season, Christmas Day was the official start of the 2011-12 season. Let’s just say everyone was eager for some NBA action and apparently so was Carmelo Anthony.
Melo gave the fans at the Garden and watching at home a holiday treat. He scored 37 points on the way to a two-point victory over the Boston Celtics, finishing one point shy of the Knicks opening night record of 38 set by Patrick Ewing.
Anthony put up 20 points in the second half and clinched the game by knocking down two free throws with 16 seconds left. It was the best game of the Christmas Day games that season.
Who will be the one to get the Knickerbockers off to a good start in 2022? Jalen Brunson? RJ Barrett? Julius Randle? Will someone get 40? Will we get another overtime game perhaps? We’ll find out soon.
