New York Knicks Explained: Traditions, Logo & History

How many championships have the Knicks won?

The Knicks have won **three NBA championships**: 1970, 1973, and 2026.

The first two came in a four-year golden era built around Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and coach Red Holzman. The third took 53 more years — a drought that ended June 13, 2026, when Jalen Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5 at San Antonio to close out the Spurs 4-1.

Why was the Knicks' 2026 championship so remarkable?

Beyond ending a 53-year drought, the 2026 Knicks won in historically improbable fashion: they trailed by double digits in every game of the Finals and came back to win four of them, including an NBA Finals-record 29-point comeback in Game 4.

Jalen Brunson's 45 points in the Game 5 clincher matched Michael Jordan for the most ever scored on the road to win a title, and he was the unanimous Finals MVP — joining Willis Reed as Knicks second-round picks to win the award.

What was Willis Reed's famous Game 7 moment?

Before Game 7 of the 1970 Finals against the Lakers, Reed — the captain, playing on a torn thigh muscle — limped out of the Madison Square Garden tunnel to a deafening roar, hit the game's first two baskets, and never scored again.

He didn't need to: the emotional lift carried the Knicks, and Walt Frazier delivered one of the greatest Game 7s ever (36 points, 19 assists) to win the franchise's first title. It remains one of the most iconic moments in American sports.

Why do the Knicks have the number 613 retired?

No. 613 honors Red Holzman, the head coach of both the 1970 and 1973 championship teams — one digit for each of his 613 wins as Knicks coach.

Holzman's 'hit the open man' and 'see the ball' principles defined the franchise's championship identity, and hanging his win total in the rafters made him the rare coach honored alongside his players.

New York Knicks Records, Titles & Milestones

How many NBA championships have the New York Knicks won?

The New York Knicks have won 3 NBA championships (2026, 1973, 1970).

Do the New York Knicks retire jersey numbers?

The Knicks have retired eight numbers honoring nine individuals, plus No. 613 for coach Red Holzman — one for every game he won on the Knicks bench. No. 15 was retired twice, for Earl Monroe and Dick McGuire.

Ring of Honor (9 members)

The Greatest New York Knicks Players of All Time

Who is the greatest New York Knicks player of all time?

By the measure of championships, individual honors, and lasting impact, Patrick Ewing tops most all-time New York Knicks rankings. The full top 6 follows.

1. Patrick Ewing C \u00b7 1985–2000

   The franchise leader in points, rebounds, and games. An 11-time All-Star who carried the Knicks to two Finals and defined 15 years of New York basketball — the ring that eluded him is the only gap in the resume.

2. Walt Frazier PG \u00b7 1967–1977

   The engine of both early championships and author of maybe the greatest Game 7 ever played — 36 points and 19 assists in the 1970 clincher. Seven All-NBA teams, seven All-Defensive teams, and half a century as the face of Knicks cool.

3. Willis Reed C \u00b7 1964–1974

   The Captain. Finals MVP of both the 1970 and 1973 titles, and in 1970 became the first player to sweep regular-season MVP, All-Star MVP, and Finals MVP in one year. His Game 7 walk from the tunnel is the franchise's defining image.

4. Jalen Brunson PG \u00b7 2022–present

   The man who ended the drought. Unanimous 2026 Finals MVP with 45 points in the Game 5 clincher — tied for the most ever in a road closeout — after leading comeback wins in four Finals games the Knicks trailed by double digits. Already climbing this list.

5. Earl Monroe SG \u00b7 1971–1980

   Earl the Pearl sacrificed superstar volume to fit the 1973 champions, forming the 'Rolls-Royce backcourt' with Frazier — proof the flashiest player of his era could also be the most selfless.

6. Bernard King SF \u00b7 1982–1987

   The most unstoppable scorer to wear the uniform — back-to-back 50-point games, a 60-point Christmas, and the 1984 playoff run remain the standard for pure Knicks scoring brilliance.