The New York Knicks finally made it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Prior to 2021, the Knicks were historically bad. Before their 2021 playoff appearance, they were 17-65 in 2018-19, and a 21-45 record in the 2019-20 season. This finals appearance took much roster building and heartbreak in the playoffs.
The Making of The Roster
The building of this finals bound roster took many years, starting with the acquisition of Mitchell Robinson in 2018. The next year, in the summer of 2019, they signed Julius Randle, who even though was not a part of this finals roster, had huge influence in bringing the Knicks back into the playoffs. In 2020, they hired Tom Thibodeau, who was also a big part of bringing the Knicks back into the playoffs. After a successful 2021 season, they didn’t quite match that energy in 2022, which led to the signing of Jalen Brunson in 2022. This move at first was seen as horrible, but later turned out to be considered one of the best signings in Knicks history. Toward the end of the 2022-23 NBA season, they traded for Josh Hart, who was a former teammate of Jalen Brunson at Villanova. In 2023, they signed Donte DiVincenzo, who even though was not on this Finals team, was a huge component in their 2023-24 playoff run and the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns. In the middle of the 2023-24 season, they had a blockbuster trade, shipping Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrent to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby. After a devastating Game 7 loss to Indiana in Game 7, the Knicks were looking to shake up the roster. In the summer of 2024, in a controversial trade, the Knicks shipped 5 first round picks in exchange for Mikal Bridges. In October of 2024, the Knicks sent Julius Randle and Donte Divencenzo to the Timberwolves, for Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was an influential part of the Knicks playoff runs in 2025 and 2026. Over the course of the next 3 seasons, the Knicks signed many players, such as Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado, as well as drafting many players such as Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti. After the heartbreaking loss against Indiana in 2025, they fired their coach Tom Thibodeau and hired Mike Brown.
Playoff History
In their first playoff appearance since 2014, the Knicks were the 4 seed against the 5 seed Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks lost this series in five games, but had hope for the future. The Knicks had a disappointing season in 2021-22, and had a busy offseason, signing Jalen Brunson. Following this signing, the Knicks made it back to the playoffs in 2023. They were the 5-seed against the 4-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though they were the underdogs, they won in 5 games. Their next opponent, the 8-seeded Miami Heat, were on a hot streak after beating the 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Miami Heat unfortunately sent the Knicks home after 6 games, but after a quiet offseason, the Knicks were ready to bounce back. In the 2024 playoffs, the Knicks just barely clinched the 2-seed over Milwaukee in a thriller final game. They were playing the 7-seed 76ers, who were far better than their seed. The Knicks sent them home in 6 games, with many thriller games, specifically games 2 and 5. They were now up against the 6-seed Indiana Pacers. They fought a grueling 7 game series, and unfortunately, the injury riddled Knicks lost in Game 7. After this loss, the Knicks had a lot to change. In the offseason, they had acquired Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. With high hopes, the Knicks finished the 2024-25 season as the 3-seed. They were matched up against the 6-seed Detroit Pistons. This Pistons team gave the Knicks a scare, however they handled business in 6 games. They had then advanced to play the 2-seed Celtics. They were heavy underdogs against this Celtics team. After 20 point comebacks in games 1 and 2 of this series, the Knicks came to play. The Knicks finished this series out in 6 games, defeating the Celtics and moving on to their first Eastern Conference Finals. They played the 4-seeded Indiana Pacers, and were favored to make the finals. In game 1, the Pacers had a historical comeback, and the Knicks never came back after that, losing in 6 games.
2026 Playoff Run
In 2026, they finished their season with a 53-29, which landed them the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks faced their first round opponent, the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks were supposed to beat the Hawks, and after a Game 1 win, it really made people believe that this series wasn’t going to be long. However after a 12 point 4th quarter comeback by the Atlanta Hawks, and a loss in Game 3, the Knicks found themselves down 2-1. Then they proceeded to win the next 3 games, beating the Atlanta Hawks. On the other side of the bracket, the Philadelphia 76ers had just wrapped up a grueling 7 game series against Boston. The Knicks then had one of the most dominant sweeps in NBA history. Then they had 9 days of rest, as they watched the Cleveland Cavaliers wrap up against the Detroit Pistons. The Cavaliers got out to a 22-point lead in the 4th quarter, with them looking for a win in Game 1. Then the Cavaliers proceeded to choke that 22 point lead away to an 11-point loss in overtime. The Knicks then proceeded to sweep the Cavaliers, making it to their first NBA finals since 1999.
The NBA Finals
With the Knicks wrapping it up against the Cavaliers in 4 games, they have 9 days between Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The NBA Finals starts on June 3rd, with their opponent still to be determined. Currently, the Western Conference Finals is tied between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, with Game 7 taking place on May 30th. Tickets for the NBA finals in New York are currently selling for a get-in price of $3500.