The New York Knicks have won 2 NBA championships in franchise history. Here’s a breakdown of their championship seasons:

New York Knicks NBA Championships

🏆 1969-70 – Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
🏆 1972-73 – Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)


Championship Details

1969-70 – Willis Reed’s Iconic Return

  • The Knicks finished with a 60-22 record, the best in the NBA.
  • Led by Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, and Dick Barnett.
  • Willis Reed won both the MVP and Finals MVP.
  • Game 7 vs. the Lakers: Reed, injured in Game 5, made a dramatic entrance and hit the first two shots of the game, inspiring the team.
  • Walt Frazier had one of the greatest Game 7 performances ever (36 points, 19 assists, 7 rebounds, 5 steals).

1972-73 – Revenge on the Lakers

  • The Knicks finished the season 57-25.
  • Key players: Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, and Dave DeBusschere.
  • Reed won his second Finals MVP, averaging 16.4 points and 9.2 rebounds.
  • The Knicks dominated the Lakers 4-1 in the Finals, avenging their loss to them in 1972.

Coach

  • Red Holzman led the Knicks to both championships.

The Knicks have reached the Finals 8 times, but their last championship came in 1973. They made the Finals in 1994 (with Patrick Ewing) and 1999 (led by Latrell Sprewell & Allan Houston) but lost both times.