The 1998-1999 Season: The Cinderella Story
The New York Knicks’ performance during the 1998-1999 NBA season remains one of the most memorable in the franchise’s history. The team, finishing the regular season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 27-23 record, surprised everyone with their unprecedented playoff run.
- The Knicks upset the top-seeded Miami Heat in the first round. They managed a dramatic 3-2 series win, highlighted by Allan Houston’s unforgettable buzzer-beater in Game 5.
- In the second round, New York faced the Atlanta Hawks, a team they dominated in four straight games to sweep the series.
- The Eastern Conference Finals saw the Knicks up against the Indiana Pacers. New York managed a 4-2 series win, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1994.
Throughout the playoffs, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell, and Marcus Camby delivered extraordinary performances, guiding the team to success despite being heavy underdogs.
2012-2013 Season: Crushing the Defending Champions
The New York Knicks had another notable playoff run during the 2012-2013 NBA season. With a solid regular-season record of 54-28, the team entered the playoffs with high expectations. A strong roster, including stars like Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith, drove the team's success.
- In the first round, the Knicks faced the Boston Celtics. New York controlled the series from start to finish, winning it 4-2 and securing their first playoff series win in 13 years.
- The second round featured a matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Despite losing the series 4-2, the Knicks showed significant improvement and resilience, setting the stage for future endeavors.
Carmelo Anthony played a critical role, averaging 28.8 points per game throughout these playoff series, establishing himself as one of the league's premier talents.
Underdogs at the Core
New York Knicks' history of playoff upsets represents the spirit of underdogs triumphing against formidable opponents. These instances exemplify the unexpected twists and turns that make basketball thrilling to watch. If you want to delve deeper into these unforgettable moments and more, ArenaPlus offers extensive coverage and insightful analyses.