The New York Knicks have had such a long wait to win the NBA title that they have become something of a laughing stock. Now they finally have a chance to redeem themselves.
The Knicks have not won the NBA Championship since 1973, when they were 4-1 series winners against the Los Angeles Lakers. They are into their first Eastern Conference final for 25 years after a 4-2 series win over defending champions the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks wrapped up the series with one match to spare thanks to a 119-81 win at Madison Square Garden. The two-time champions will face the Indiana Pacers in the Conference finals, starting on Thursday, with the winner meeting either the Minnesota Timberwolves or Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
Is a 52-year wait coming to an end? While the Knicks are among the most recognised and popular NBA franchises, their quest for a third NBA finals title has lasted more than six decades. The Knicks have since featured in the 1994 and 1999 NBA finals, but were beaten by the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs respectively.
The Knicks’ two NBA Finals wins were in 1970 and 1973. They also have four Conference and eight Division titles.
In recent years, shrewd recruitment, the biggest being the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns in late 2024, has meant an upturn in form and results.
But the most impactful upgrade is probably the addition of Mikal Bridges, who joined a familiar core of players forged from other Villanova college graduates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. That shared collegiate bond has produced a unique synergy that few teams can match. The result? A roster that defends as one, moves the ball instinctively, and embraces the moment.
Leading it all is Jalen Brunson, whose rise from steady floor general to bona fide star has been spectacular. Fresh from being named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson has delivered time and again in the postseason, nowhere more dramatically than in Game 4 against Boston, where his 39-point masterpiece powered a statement comeback win. He’s the heartbeat of a Knicks team.
Combined together it could be the case that after decades of searching, New York might finally have found the formula, not just for relevance, but for real contention.
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