1996–97 New York Knicks season

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Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks

NBA professional basketball team season

The 1996–97 New York Knicks season was the 51st season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).[3] For the season, the Knicks celebrated their 50th anniversary in the NBA by revealing an anniversary version of the team’s primary logo.[4] During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star forward Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets,[5][6][7] and signed free agents Allan Houston, Chris Childs,[8][9][10] and former All-Star forward Buck Williams.[11][12][13] In the regular season, the Knicks won eight of their first ten games, and held a 34–14 record by February 6,[14][15] finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record,[16] and made the NBA Playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.[3] The team also posted three seven-game winning streaks during the regular season, which were its longest this season.[15] The Knicks enjoyed a successful season, with their 57 wins tied for the third-most in franchise history;[3] they finished second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference.[17]

With Houston in the regular starting lineup at shooting guard, John Starks played a sixth man role, averaging 13.8 points per game off the bench,[16] and was named the Sixth Man of the Year,[17][18][19] while Patrick Ewing averaged 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game,[16] and was selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game,[20][21] but did not play due to a groin injury,[22][23][24][25] despite playing 78 games this season.[16] It would also be his final All-Star selection, having played his final All-Star Game the previous year.[26] Ewing also earned All-NBA Second Team honors,[17] finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[27][28] and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.[29] In addition, Houston finished second on the team in scoring with 14.8 points per game, while Johnson averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, Charles Oakley provided the team with 10.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and Childs contributed 9.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.[16] Off the bench, Williams averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and Charlie Ward contributed 5.2 points and 4.1 assists per game.[16] In the last game of the season, at the United Center, the Knicks defeated the then-69–12 Chicago Bulls, preventing them from posting two consecutive 70-win seasons, and tying the best home record (40–1 set by the 1985–86 Boston Celtics, and later matched by the 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs).[30][31][32][33][34]

In the playoffs, New York defeated the Charlotte Hornets in a three-game sweep in the Eastern Conference first round, and advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals,[35][36][37][38] where they faced the Atlantic Division champion Miami Heat, in what would eventually become the first chapter of one of the fiercest NBA rivalries of the period.[17][39] After jumping to a 3–1 lead in the series,[40][41][42] the Knicks were eliminated by the Heat in seven games,[43][44][45][46] after a brawl erupted at the end of Game 5 that led to the suspensions of five key Knicks players: Ewing, Houston, Johnson, Starks and Ward.[47][48][49][50]

Following the season, top draft pick John Wallace was traded to the Toronto Raptors,[51][52] and first round draft pick Walter McCarty was dealt to the Boston Celtics.[51][53]

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NBA Draft[edit]

1996–97 New York Knicks roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 4 Brooks, Scott 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1965–07–31 UC Irvine
G 1 Childs, Chris 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1967–11–20 Boise State
C 33 Ewing, Patrick (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1962–08–05 Georgetown
G 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
F 2 Johnson, Larry 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1969–03–14 UNLV
F 13 Jones, Dontae’ Injured (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975–06–02 Mississippi State
F 40 McCarty, Walter 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974–02–01 Kentucky
F 34 Oakley, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–18 Virginia Union
G 3 Starks, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–08–10 Oklahoma State
F 44 Wallace, John 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1974–02–09 Syracuse
G 21 Ward, Charlie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1970–10–12 Florida State
F 52 Williams, Buck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1960–03–08 Maryland
C 32 Williams, Herb 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1958–02–16 Ohio State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 6, 1997

Roster notes[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Season standings[edit]

z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents[edit]

1996–97 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta — 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–1
Boston 1–3 — 0–4 0–4 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–4
Charlotte 3–1 4–0 — 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–2 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 3–1
Chicago 3–1 4–0 4–0 — 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 3–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1
Cleveland 1–3 2–1 1–3 1–3 — 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 — 3–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 3–1 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 — 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–4 3–1 1–1
Detroit 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 0–2 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 1–3 4–0 0–4 2–0 0–4 3–1 0–2
Houston 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 4–0 — 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0
Indiana 1–3 2–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 — 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–3
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 — 2–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–3 4–0 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 2–0
Miami 2–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 — 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Milwaukee 0–4 3–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 — 0–2 2–1 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 4–0 0–2 3–1 0–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
New Jersey 1–3 4–0 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 — 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
New York 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 — 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 1–1 2–0 4–0
Orlando 1–3 4–0 2–1 0–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 — 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3
Philadelphia 0–4 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 0–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–3 2–2 — 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 — 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 — 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–2 2–2 4–0 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–1 0–4 4–0 0–2
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 — 0–4 1–1 1–3 1–3 0–2
Seattle 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 — 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Toronto 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 3–0 0–3 0–4 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 — 4–0 2–0
Vancouver 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–3 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–4 — 1–1
Washington 1–2 4–0 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Playoffs[edit]

1997 playoff game log

First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)

Conference Semifinals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)

Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 7 @ Miami W 88–79 Allan Houston (27) Patrick Ewing (16) Johnson, Ward (5) Miami Arena
14,870 		1–0
2 May 9 @ Miami L 84–88 Allan Houston (19) Patrick Ewing (11) Chris Childs (7) Miami Arena
14,870 		1–1
3 May 11 Miami W 77–73 Patrick Ewing (25) Ewing, Oakley (11) Ward, Starks (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 May 12 Miami W 89–76 John Starks (21) Charles Oakley (9) Chris Childs (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–1
5 May 14 @ Miami L 81–96 Patrick Ewing (19) Charles Oakley (9) Chris Childs (7) Miami Arena
14,782 		3–2
6 May 16 Miami L 90–95 Chris Childs (22) Charles Oakley (12) Chris Childs (9) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		3–3
7 May 18 @ Miami L 90–101 Patrick Ewing (37) Patrick Ewing (17) Charlie Ward (8) Miami Arena
14,870 		3–4
1997 schedule

Player statistics[edit]

NOTE: Please write player statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season[edit]

Playoffs[edit]

Awards and records[edit]

Transactions[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 305. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  2. ^ 2016–17 New York Knicks Media Guide (PDF). New York Knicks. 2016. p. 304. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c “New York Knickerbockers Franchise Index”. Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  4. ^ “New York Knicks Logo”. Chris Creamer’s Sports Logos Page – SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 12, 1996). “Pro Basketball; Knicks Chase Hornets’ Johnson as N.B.A. Resumes Business”. The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  6. ^ “Around the NBA”. The Washington Post. July 13, 1996. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Isola, Frank (July 13, 1996). “Larry Loves N.Y.: Knicks, Hornets Work Out Bugs”. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 14, 1996). “Pro Basketball; A New Backcourt: Childs and Houston Join the Knicks”. The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  9. ^ Wise, Mike (July 15, 1996). “Pro Basketball; It’s a Blockbuster Day for Knicks”. The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  10. ^ Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). “Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs”. Associated Press. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Roberts, Selena (July 27, 1996). “Pro Basketball; Knicks Seal Up Buck Williams”. The New York Times. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  12. ^ “Knicks Sign Buck; Bucks Sign Allen”. Tampa Bay Times. July 27, 1996. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Markowitz, Dan (October 20, 1996). “Revamped Knicks Assessing Strengths”. The New York Times. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  14. ^ “NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  15. ^ a b “1996–97 New York Knicks Schedule and Results”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d e f “1996–97 New York Knickerbockers Roster and Statistics”. Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  17. ^ a b c d “1996–97 NBA Season Summary”. Basketball-Reference. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  18. ^ “Sixth Man Award for Starks”. The New York Times. April 24, 1997. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  19. ^ “NBA & ABA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  20. ^ “Webber’s All-Star Stats Aren’t Ticket to Game; Bullets Forward Not Picked as Reserve”. The Baltimore Sun. January 29, 1997. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  21. ^ “1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  22. ^ “Knicks’ Ewing to Miss All-Star Game”. United Press International. February 5, 1997. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  23. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 6, 1997). “Ewing, Still Injured, Quits All-Star Roster”. The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  24. ^ Cummings, D. L. (February 6, 1997). “Stars Are Out for Ewing: Groin Injury KOs Patrick”. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  25. ^ “Mourning Latest All-Star Casualty; Dumars on Team”. Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. February 7, 1997. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  26. ^ “Patrick Ewing”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  27. ^ Kawakami, Tim (May 19, 1997). “MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  28. ^ “1996–97 NBA Awards Voting”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  29. ^ “NBA History: The NBA’s 50 Greatest Players”. National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  30. ^ Wise, Mike (April 20, 1997). “Knicks Shock the Bulls to Sew Up Third Spot”. The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  31. ^ Brown, Clifton (April 20, 1997). “When a Knick Victory Is Not Just a Victory”. The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  32. ^ Armour, Terry (April 20, 1997). “Knicks 103, Bulls 101”. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  33. ^ “New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 19, 1997”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Nathan, Alec. “Spurs Tie All-Time NBA Record for Most Home Wins in Regular Season”. Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  35. ^ Macenka, Joe (April 28, 1997). “Knicks 104, Hornets 95”. The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  36. ^ “Knicks 104, Hornets 95”. United Press International. April 28, 1997. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  37. ^ Wise, Mike (April 29, 1997). “Knicks Sweep Away Hornets, and Season of Doubts”. The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  38. ^ “1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hornets vs. Knicks”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  39. ^ Sheridan, Chris (May 7, 2000). “Knicks, Heat continue their simmering rivalry”. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 9C. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  40. ^ Vecsey, George (May 13, 1997). “Quiet No More: Starks Comes Out Shooting”. The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  41. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 13, 1997). “Heat Feeling Some After Knicks Roll”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  42. ^ Lupica, Mike (May 14, 1997). “Riley’s Heat Almost Toast”. Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  43. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 19, 1997). “Next Stop, Chicago: Riley Adjusts Rearview Mirror to See Knicks”. The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  44. ^ Heisler, Mark (May 19, 1997). “Knicks Can’t Take the Heat”. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  45. ^ Adande, J. A. (May 19, 1997). “Hardaway Applies the Heat as Miami Ousts Knicks”. The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  46. ^ “1997 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Heat”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  47. ^ Wise, Mike (May 15, 1997). “Not for the Faint-Hearted: Knicks–Heat Turns Nasty”. The New York Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  48. ^ Adande, J. A. (May 15, 1997). “Miami’s Fighting Spirit Is Too Much for Knicks”. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  49. ^ Winderman, Ira (May 15, 1997). “Heat Fights Back”. Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  50. ^ Isola, Frank (May 16, 1997). “NBA – No Brawls Allowed: Ewing Among Five Suspended Knicks”. New York Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  51. ^ a b “1996 NBA Draft”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  52. ^ Whitehorn, Dave (February 22, 2011). “The 13 Biggest Knicks Trades in History”. Newsday. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  53. ^ Roberts, Selena (October 23, 1997). “Pro Basketball; Knicks Send Four Players to the Celtics for Mills”. The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  54. ^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 1996). “Pro Basketball; Surgery Sidelines Jones 3-6 Months”. The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  55. ^ May, Peter (October 24, 1997). “Jones Envisions Much Better Time”. The Boston Globe. p. D3.
  56. ^ “Dontae’ Jones”. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 17, 2021.



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