List of New York Knicks seasons
The New York Knickerbockers, better known as the New York Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City that competes in the National Basketball Association. An original member of the NBA, the Knicks play in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. In its 73 seasons, the franchise has reached the NBA Finals eight times and won two championships. As of the end of the 2018–19 season, New York has won more than 2,700 regular season games, and the team has the fourth-highest victory total in NBA history. Since 1968, the Knicks have played home games at Madison Square Garden.
One of the Basketball Association of America's eleven teams during its inaugural season, the Knicks won the league's first game, defeating the Toronto Huskies 68–66 on November 1, 1946. The club qualified for the playoffs in the league's first three seasons before the BAA merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA. Following the merger, New York extended its streak of playoff appearances to nine consecutive years, and reached the NBA Finals each year from 1952 to 1954. The Knicks returned to the Finals in 1970 and defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games for the team's first title. New York and Los Angeles faced each other again in the 1972 Finals, a series that the Lakers won four games to one. The Knicks earned their second NBA championship the following year, as they won a rematch with Los Angeles in five games.
From 1988 to 2001, the franchise reached the playoffs in fourteen consecutive seasons, but did not win an NBA title. The team reached its first NBA Finals in twenty-one seasons during the 1993–94 season, but lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. Five years later, New York again lost in the NBA Finals, this time in a five-game series against the San Antonio Spurs. After the 2000–01 season, the Knicks had nine consecutive losing seasons between 2001–02 and 2009–10. The Knicks made the postseason in the next three seasons, but declined to their worst-ever record of 65 losses in 2014–15. In the most recent season, 2018–19, New York missed the playoffs with a 17–65 win–loss record, which matched the worst mark in team history.
Table key
| NBA champions † |
| Division/Conference champions * |
| Division champions ^ |
| Playoff berth ¤ |
Seasons
Note: Statistics are correct as of the.| Season | Conf. | Conf. finish | Div. | Div. finish | W | L | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Ref. |
| 1946–47 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | 33 | 27 | .550 | 16 | Won Quarterfinals vs. Cleveland Rebels, 2–1 Lost Semifinals to Philadelphia Warriors, 2–0 | — | Neil Cohalan | |
| 1947–48 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | 26 | 22 | .542 | 1 | Lost Quarterfinals to Baltimore Bullets, 2–1 | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1948–49 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | 32 | 28 | .533 | 6 | Won Division Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 2–1 Lost Division Finals to Washington Capitols, 2–1 | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1949–50 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | 40 | 28 | .588 | 13 | Won Division Semifinals vs. Washington Capitols, 2–0 Lost Division Finals to Syracuse Nationals, 2–1 | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1950–51 | — | — | Eastern * | 3rd ¤ | 36 | 30 | .545 | 4 | Won Division Semifinals vs. Boston Celtics, 2–0 Won Division Finals vs. Syracuse Nationals, 3–2 Lost NBA Finals to Rochester Royals, 4–3 * | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1951–52 | — | — | Eastern * | 3rd ¤ | 37 | 29 | .561 | 3 | Won Division Semifinals vs. Boston Celtics, 2–1 Won Division Finals vs. Syracuse Nationals, 3–1 Lost NBA Finals to Minneapolis Lakers, 4–3 * | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1952–53 | — | — | Eastern * | 1st ¤ | 47 | 23 | .671 | — | Won Division Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 2–0 Won Division Finals vs. Boston Celtics, 3–1 Lost NBA Finals to Minneapolis Lakers, 4–1 * | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1953–54 | — | — | Eastern | 1st ¤ | 44 | 28 | .611 | — | Lost round-robin to Boston Celtics and Syracuse Nationals, 4–0 | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1954–55 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | 38 | 34 | .528 | 5 | Lost Division Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 2–1 | — | Joe Lapchick | |
| 1955–56 | — | — | Eastern | 4th ¤ | 35 | 37 | .486 | 10 | Lost Division third-place tiebreaker to Syracuse Nationals, 1–0 | — | Joe Lapchick Vince Boryla | |
| 1956–57 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 36 | 36 | .500 | 8 | — | — | Vince Boryla | |
| 1957–58 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 35 | 37 | .486 | 14 | — | — | Vince Boryla Andrew Levane | |
| 1958–59 | — | — | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | 40 | 32 | .556 | 12 | Lost Division Semifinals to Syracuse Nationals, 2–0 | — | Andrew Levane | |
| 1959–60 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 27 | 48 | .360 | 32 | — | — | Andrew Levane Carl Braun | |
| 1960–61 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 21 | 58 | .266 | 36 | — | — | Carl Braun | |
| 1961–62 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 29 | 51 | .363 | 31 | — | — | Eddie Donovan | |
| 1962–63 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 21 | 59 | .263 | 37 | — | — | Eddie Donovan | |
| 1963–64 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 22 | 58 | .275 | 37 | — | — | Eddie Donovan | |
| 1964–65 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 31 | 49 | .388 | 31 | — | Willis Reed | Eddie Donovan Harry Gallatin | |
| 1965–66 | — | — | Eastern | 4th | 30 | 50 | .375 | 25 | — | — | Dick McGuire | |
| 1966–67 | — | — | Eastern | 4th ¤ | 36 | 45 | .444 | 32 | Lost Division Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 3–1 | — | Dick McGuire | |
| 1967–68 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | 43 | 39 | .524 | 19 | Lost Division Semifinals to Philadelphia 76ers, 4–2 | — | Dick McGuire Red Holzman | |
| 1968–69 | — | — | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | 54 | 28 | .659 | 3 | Won Division Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 4–0 Lost Division Finals to Boston Celtics, 4–2 | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1969–70 | — | — | Eastern * | 1st ¤ | 60 | 22 | .732 | — | Won Division Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 4–3 Won Division Finals vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 4–1 Won NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 4–3 | Red Holzman Willis Reed | Red Holzman | |
| 1970–71 | Eastern | 1st ¤ | Atlantic ^ | 1st | 52 | 30 | .634 | — | Won Conference Semifinals vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4–1 Lost Conference Finals to Baltimore Bullets, 4–3 | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1971–72 | Eastern * | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 8 | Won Conference Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 4–2 Won Conference Finals vs. Boston Celtics, 4–1 Lost Finals to Los Angeles Lakers, 4–1 * | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1972–73 | Eastern * | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 11 | Won Conference Semifinals vs. Baltimore Bullets, 4–1 Won Conference Finals vs. Boston Celtics, 4–3 Won Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 4–1 | Willis Reed | Red Holzman | |
| 1973–74 | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 7 | Won Conference Semifinals vs. Capital Bullets, 4–3 Lost Conference Finals to Boston Celtics, 4–1 | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1974–75 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 | Lost First Round to Houston Rockets, 2–1 | Walt Frazier | Red Holzman | |
| 1975–76 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 38 | 44 | .463 | 16 | — | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1976–77 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 3rd | 40 | 42 | .488 | 10 | — | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1977–78 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12 | Won First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 2–0 Lost Conference Semifinals to Philadelphia 76ers, 4–0 | — | Willis Reed | |
| 1978–79 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 23 | — | — | Willis Reed Red Holzman | |
| 1979–80 | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | — | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1980–81 | Eastern | 4th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 | Lost First Round to Chicago Bulls, 2–0 | Mike Glenn | Red Holzman | |
| 1981–82 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 5th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 30 | — | — | Red Holzman | |
| 1982–83 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 4th | 44 | 38 | .537 | 21 | Won First Round vs. New Jersey Nets, 2–0 Lost Conference Semifinals to Philadelphia 76ers, 4–0 | — | Hubie Brown | |
| 1983–84 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | Won First Round vs. Detroit Pistons, 3–2 Lost Conference Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4–3 | — | Hubie Brown | |
| 1984–85 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 5th | 24 | 58 | .293 | 39 | — | — | Hubie Brown | |
| 1985–86 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 44 | — | Patrick Ewing Rory Sparrow | Hubie Brown | |
| 1986–87 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 5th | 24 | 58 | .293 | 35 | — | — | Hubie Brown Bob Hill | |
| 1987–88 | Eastern | 8th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 | Lost First Round to Boston Celtics, 3–1 | Mark Jackson | Rick Pitino | |
| 1988–89 | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | Atlantic ^ | 1st | 52 | 30 | .634 | — | Won First Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 3–0 Lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago Bulls, 4–2 | — | Rick Pitino | |
| 1989–90 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 45 | 37 | .549 | 8 | Won First Round vs. Boston Celtics, 3–2 Lost Conference Semifinals to Detroit Pistons, 4–1 | — | Stu Jackson | |
| 1990–91 | Eastern | 8th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 39 | 43 | .476 | 17 | Lost First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3–0 | — | Stu Jackson John MacLeod | |
| 1991–92 | Eastern | 4th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 51 | 31 | .622 | — | Won First Round vs. Detroit Pistons, 3–2 Lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago Bulls, 4–3 | — | Pat Riley | |
| 1992–93 | Eastern | 1st ¤ | Atlantic ^ | 1st | 60 | 22 | .732 | — | Won First Round vs. Indiana Pacers, 3–1 Won Conference Semifinals vs. Charlotte Hornets, 4–1 Lost Conference Finals to Chicago Bulls, 4–2 | Pat Riley | Pat Riley | |
| 1993–94 | Eastern * | 2nd ¤ | Atlantic ^ | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | — | Won First Round vs. New Jersey Nets, 3–1 Won Conference Semifinals vs. Chicago Bulls, 4–3 Won Conference Finals vs. Indiana Pacers, 4–3 Lost NBA Finals to Houston Rockets, 4–3 * | — | Pat Riley | |
| 1994–95 | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 | Won First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 3–1 Lost Conference Semifinals to Indiana Pacers, 4–3 | Anthony Mason | Pat Riley | |
| 1995–96 | Eastern | 5th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13 | Won First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 3–0 Lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago Bulls, 4–1 | — | Don Nelson Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 1996–97 | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 57 | 25 | .695 | 4 | Won First Round vs. Charlotte Hornets, 3–0 Lost Conference Semifinals to Miami Heat, 4–3 | John Starks | Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 1997–98 | Eastern | 7th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 43 | 39 | .524 | 12 | Won First Round vs. Miami Heat, 3–2 Lost Conference Semifinals to Indiana Pacers, 4–1 | — | Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 1998–99 | Eastern * | 8th ¤ | Atlantic | 4th | 27 | 23 | .540 | 6 | Won First Round vs. Miami Heat, 3–2 Won Conference Semifinals vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4–0 Won Conference Finals vs. Indiana Pacers, 4–2 Lost Finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4–1 * | — | Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 1999–00 | Eastern | 3rd ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 50 | 32 | .610 | 2 | Won First Round vs. Toronto Raptors, 3–0 Won Conference Semifinals vs. Miami Heat, 4–3 Lost Conference Finals to Indiana Pacers, 4–2 | — | Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 2000–01 | Eastern | 4th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 5 | Lost First Round to Toronto Raptors, 3–2 | — | Jeff Van Gundy | |
| 2001–02 | Eastern | 13th | Atlantic | 7th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 22 | — | — | Jeff Van Gundy Don Chaney | |
| 2002–03 | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 6th | 37 | 45 | .451 | 12 | — | — | Don Chaney | |
| 2003–04 | Eastern | 7th ¤ | Atlantic | 3rd | 39 | 43 | .476 | 8 | Lost First Round to New Jersey Nets, 4–0 | — | Don Chaney Herb Williams Lenny Wilkens | |
| 2004–05 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 5th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 12 | — | — | Lenny Wilkens Herb Williams | |
| 2005–06 | Eastern | 15th | Atlantic | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 26 | — | — | Larry Brown | |
| 2006–07 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 4th | 33 | 49 | .402 | 14 | — | — | Isiah Thomas | |
| 2007–08 | Eastern | 14th | Atlantic | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 43 | — | — | Isiah Thomas | |
| 2008–09 | Eastern | 14th | Atlantic | 5th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 30 | — | — | Mike D'Antoni | |
| 2009–10 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 3rd | 29 | 53 | .354 | 21 | — | — | Mike D'Antoni | |
| 2010–11 | Eastern | 6th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 14 | Lost First Round to Boston Celtics, 4–0 | — | Mike D'Antoni | |
| 2011–12 | Eastern | 7th ¤ | Atlantic | 2nd | 36 | 30 | .545 | 14 | Lost First Round to Miami Heat, 4–1 | Tyson Chandler | Mike D'Antoni Mike Woodson | |
| 2012–13 | Eastern | 2nd ¤ | Atlantic ^ | 1st | 54 | 28 | .659 | — | Won First Round vs Boston Celtics, 4–2 Lost Conference Semifinals to Indiana Pacers, 4–2 | J. R. Smith | Mike Woodson | |
| 2013–14 | Eastern | 9th | Atlantic | 3rd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 11 | — | — | Mike Woodson | |
| 2014–15 | Eastern | 15th | Atlantic | 5th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 32 | — | — | Derek Fisher | |
| 2015–16 | Eastern | 13th | Atlantic | 3rd | 32 | 50 | .390 | 24 | — | — | Derek Fisher Kurt Rambis | |
| 2016–17 | Eastern | 12th | Atlantic | 3rd | 31 | 51 | .378 | 22 | — | — | Jeff Hornacek | |
| 2017–18 | Eastern | 11th | Atlantic | 4th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 30 | — | — | Jeff Hornacek | |
| 2018–19 | Eastern | 15th | Atlantic | 5th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 43 | — | — | David Fizdale |