The New York Knicks are on the verge of ending a 53-year championship drought after advancing to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The last time the Knicks won the NBA title was in 1973, when legendary coach Phil Jackson was a reserve forward on the team. That championship team was led by Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, and Willis Reed.
A History of Near Misses
During the 1990s, the Knicks were a powerhouse led by Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, but they were repeatedly blocked by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. In 1999, the Knicks made a remarkable run as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, reaching the NBA Finals before falling to the San Antonio Spurs.
After years of rebuilding, the Knicks entered a new era with the arrival of Carmelo Anthony, leading to four playoff appearances in the 2010s. The modern "Nova-Knicks" era began with playoff berths in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Current Roster and Playoff Run
The current Knicks roster features point guard Jalen Brunson, big man Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and bench contributors Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado, and Mitchell Robinson. The team swept the Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 in the second round after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 4-2 in the first round.
The Knicks now await the winner of the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers series in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Coach Mike Brown's Mission
Head coach Mike Brown, who won championships as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018, 2022) and San Antonio Spurs (2003), is seeking his first title as a head coach. Team owner James Dolan expressed high expectations in a New York interview.
"Getting to the NBA Finals we absolutely have to do," Dolan said. "Winning the Finals, we should do."
Brown acknowledged the challenge. "People have talked about an [NBA Finals] mandate — like, I’m coaching to win. It doesn’t matter what others say," Brown said. "I’m disappointed if we’re not in the Finals and having a chance to win it."
With eight wins already secured, the Knicks need 16 total victories to claim the NBA title.
