Daily Knicks
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Knicks championships, NBA Finals appearances, history and more

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 25: Former New York Knicks Walt Clyde Frazier addresses Knicks fans during a ceremony honoring their 1973 championship team at Madison Square Garden on February 25, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-106 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 25: Former New York Knicks Walt Clyde Frazier addresses Knicks fans during a ceremony honoring their 1973 championship team at Madison Square Garden on February 25, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 128-106 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are one of the top brands in professional sports, but since 2000, fans haven’t been given a lot to cheer about. However, that’s changed in recent years, as the Knicks are coming off their most successful season in a decade.

Many believe New York is still a superstar trade (or two) away from being true contenders, and Jalen Brunson has helped to lead the Knicks renaissance. It’s been a long time since New York won its last NBA title, something every fan would like to see happen at least once in their lifetime.

How many NBA championships have the New York Knicks won?

New York has won two NBA championships, the first in 1970 and the second in 1973. Willis Reed was the NBA Finals MVP for both titles.

The late Knicks legend’s most famous performance came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when he hobbled onto the court and played through a muscle tear in his right thigh.

How many NBA Finals appearances do the New York Knicks have?

New York has eight NBA Finals appearances, the last dating back to 1999. The Knicks lost 4-1 as Tim Duncan and the Spurs won their first championship. Latrell Sprewell (26 points per game) and Allan Houston (21.6 points per game) were the only two players to average double digits for New York.

How many times have the New York Knicks made the playoffs?

The Knicks have made the playoffs 39 times, with the most recent appearance being 2023. New York’s first-round playoff win over Cleveland marked the first time in 10 years the Knicks won a playoff series.

Who is the best New York Knicks player in the history of the organization?

The debate over who should be regarded as the best Knicks player in the organization’s history usually results in a toss-up between two players — Clyde “Walt” Frazier and Patrick Ewing.

In Frazier’s 10 years in New York, he led the Knicks to their only two championships. Several years after his career ended in 1980, Frazier was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The 78-year-old is still a regular face at Madison Square Garden as he’s been an analyst for MSG Networks since 1987.

It’s hard to believe, but the last time the Knicks had the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft was in 1985 when the organization selected Ewing. He didn’t play in the 1999 NBA Finals because of a torn Achilles tendon, but Ewing brought New York the closest to winning another championship since 1973. The center spent 15 seasons in New York before he was traded to Seattle in September 2000.

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