New York Knicks · Franchise era 1 of 7
The league's original stage: the New York Knicks story
Franchise era
1946–47—1958–59
The league's original stage
New York Knicks
The story in one sentence
The Knicks were a founding BAA franchise and reached three consecutive Finals while professional basketball established itself in New York.
Three early Finals at the Garden
Harry Gallatin, Carl Braun and Dick McGuire gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the championship knicks.
Timeline
How it unfolded
The foundation
The franchise context
Madison Square Garden has housed the precise teamwork of the championship Knicks, Bernard King's scoring, Patrick Ewing's rugged contenders and Jalen Brunson's modern revival.
1951
NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs Cincinnati Royals
1952
NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs Minneapolis Lakers
1953
NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs Minneapolis Lakers
After 1958–59
What came next
A smart, selfless roster won championships in 1970 and 1973 and created the franchise's enduring ideal.
The core