New York Knicks
The Garden waited 53 years. The New York Knicks won titles in 1970 and 1973, then waited 53 years until Jalen Brunson led them past San Antonio for the 2026 championship.
Knicks at the Garden: GoCuse44, Public domain
Willis Reed walks out
The Knicks are one of the league's original franchises, playing since 1946. Their first golden era came around 1970, with Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley playing smart team basketball under coach Red Holzman.
In Game 7 of the 1970 Finals against the Lakers, an injured Reed limped onto the floor before tipoff, hit the first two shots and inspired the Knicks to the title. They won again in 1973, also against Los Angeles, with Earl Monroe joining the backcourt.
Frazier, nicknamed Clyde for his wide-brimmed hats and sharp suits, was one of the first NBA players treated as a fashion icon. His Puma Clyde, released in 1973, is often called one of the first signature basketball shoes.
Ewing and the near misses
Patrick Ewing arrived in 1985 and became the face of the franchise for 15 seasons. His tough, physical teams reached the Finals in 1994, losing to Houston in seven games, and again in 1999 as an eighth seed, falling to San Antonio.
Then came long, painful years. The Knicks remained one of the most valuable teams in sports, but titles seemed far away.
Ewing, who also had his own sneaker brand in the 1990s, finished as the franchise's career leader in points and rebounds.
2026: the drought ends
Jalen Brunson signed in 2022 and became the leader the team had been missing. The front office added Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Brown took over as coach.
In the 2026 Finals, New York beat Victor Wembanyama's Spurs four games to one. Brunson scored 45 points in the clinching Game 5, a 94-90 win, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to score 45 on the road in a title-clinching game. He was named Finals MVP, and the Knicks had their first title in 53 years.
Towns, a center who can shoot threes, and Anunoby, a long wing defender, gave the team a balance of spacing and toughness.
The world's most famous arena
Madison Square Garden calls itself the world's most famous arena, and many players say no building in basketball feels bigger. Courtside seats are a fashion runway, and big performances there carry extra weight.
For Fly Baller, the Knicks story is about patience and loyalty: a city that kept showing up for five decades finally got its parade.
The current Garden, the fourth building with that name, opened in 1968 above Penn Station.
- Knicks at the Garden: GoCuse44, Public domain
- 2026 Finals watch party: Demetri Andriani, CC BY 4.0
- The Garden in 1968: Unknown author, Public domain
Text written by Fly Baller.
