Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1969–70 New York Knicks season was the 24th season of NBA basketball in New York City. The Knicks had a then single-season NBA record 18 straight victories en route to 60–22 record, which was the best regular season record in the team's history. They set the record for the best start in the first 24 games of a season at 23–1 before the Golden State Warriors surpassed it in 2015. After defeating the Bullets in the Eastern Division semifinals and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Division finals, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to capture their first NBA title.
The 1969–70 Knicks are considered to be among New York City 's finest sporting championship teams, and are considered the greatest team in Knicks history and among the best in NBA history. Their journey was chronicled in various books and films, most recently in When the Garden was Eden for ESPN 's 30 for 30 series.
1969–70 New York Knicks roster Players Coaches Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From SG 12 Barnett, Dick 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1936–10–02 Tennessee State C 17 Bowman, Nate 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1945–03–19 Wichita State SF 24 Bradley, Bill 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1943–07–28 Princeton PF 22 DeBusschere, Dave 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1940–10–16 Detroit Mercy PG 10 Frazier, Walt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–03–29 Southern Illinois PF 20 Hosket, Bill Jr. 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1946–12–20 Ohio State PF 18 Jackson, Phil (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1945-09-17 North Dakota SF 5 May, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1946–01–03 Dayton C 19 Reed, Willis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1942–06–25 Grambling State SG 6 Riordan, Mike 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1945–07–09 Providence SF 33 Russell, Cazzie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1944–06–07 Michigan SF 9 Stallworth, Dave 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1941–12–20 Wichita State SG 16 Warren, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1947–07–07 St. John's
Head coach Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured Roster Last transaction: 1970–05–08
1969–70 Pre Season Game Log Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record
All times are EASTERN time
x – clinched playoff spot Record vs. opponents [ edit ] 1969–70 NBA records Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA Atlanta — 2–4 6–0 5–2 3–3 3–3 4–3 3–3 4–2 3–3 2–4 4–2 5–2 4–2 Baltimore 4–2 — 5–2 5–1 4–3 5–2 4–2 3–3 1–5 3–4 3–3 6–0 2–4 5–1 Boston 0–6 2–5 — 3–3 3–3 4–3 2–4 1–6 4–3 2–4 2–4 4–2 5–1 2–4 Chicago 2–5 1–5 3–3 — 3–3 3–3 4–2 4–2 0–6 3–3 5–2 3–4 4–2 4–3 Cincinnati 3–3 3–4 3–3 3–3 — 4–2 2–4 2–5 2–5 4–3 3–3 4–2 2–4 1–5 Detroit 3–3 2–5 3–4 3–3 2–4 — 3–3 1–6 1–6 1–5 3–3 3–3 3–3 3–3 Los Angeles 3–4 2–4 4–2 2–4 4–2 3–3 — 3–3 2–4 4–2 3–4 5–2 5–2 6–0 Milwaukee 3–3 3–3 6–1 2–4 5–2 6–1 3–3 — 2–4 5–2 6–0 6–0 4–2 5–1 New York 2–4 5–1 3–4 6–0 5–2 6–1 4–2 4–2 — 5–2 6–0 5–1 5–1 4–2 Philadelphia 3–3 4–3 4–2 3–3 3–4 5–1 2–4 2–5 2–5 — 4–2 4–2 6–0 0–6 Phoenix 4–2 3–3 4–2 2–5 3–3 3–3 4–3 0–6 0–6 2–4 — 7–0 3–3 4–3 San Diego 2–4 0–6 2–4 4–3 2–4 3–3 2–5 0–6 1–5 2–4 0–7 — 5–2 4–2 San Francisco 2–5 4–2 1–5 2–4 4–2 3–3 2–5 2–4 1–5 0–6 3–3 2–5 — 3–4 Seattle 2–4 1–5 4–2 3–4 5–1 3–3 0–6 1–5 2–4 6–0 3–4 2–4 4–3 —
1969–70 Game Log (60–22) (Home: 30–11; Road: 27–10; Neutral: 3–1) October (9–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 1 October 14, 1969 Seattle 126–101 Madison Square Garden 1–0 2 October 15, 1969 @ Cincinnati 94–89 Cincinnati Gardens 2–0 3 October 17, 1969 @ Chicago 116–87 Chicago Stadium 3–0 4 October 18, 1969 Los Angeles 99–96 Madison Square Garden 4–0 5 October 21, 1969 Phoenix 140–116 Madison Square Garden 5–0 6 October 23, 1969 San Francisco 109–112 Madison Square Garden 5–1 7 October 24, 1969 @ Detroit 116–92 Cobo Center 6–1 8 October 25, 1969 Baltimore 128–99 Madison Square Garden 7–1 9 October 28, 1969 Atlanta 128–104 Madison Square Garden 8–1 10 October 30, 1969 San Diego 123–110 Madison Square Garden 9–1
November (14–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 7–0; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 11 November 1, 1969 Milwaukee 112–108 Madison Square Garden 10–1 12 November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee 109–93 MECCA Arena 11–1 13 November 4, 1969 @ Phoenix 116–99 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–1 14 November 7, 1969 @ San Diego 129–111 San Diego Sports Arena 13–1 15 November 9, 1969 @ Los Angeles 112–102 The Forum 14–1 16 November 11, 1969 @ San Francisco 116–103 Cow Palace 15–1 17 November 13, 1969 Chicago 114–99 Madison Square Garden 16–1 18 November 15, 1969 Boston 113–98 Madison Square Garden 17–1 19 November 18, 1969 Cincinnati 112–94 Madison Square Garden 18–1 20 November 21, 1969 @ Philadelphia 98–94 The Spectrum 19–1 21 November 22, 1969 Phoenix 128–114 Madison Square Garden 20–1 22 November 25, 1969 Los Angeles 103–96 Madison Square Garden 21–1 23 November 26, 1969 @ Atlanta 138–108 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 22–1 24 November 28, 1969 vs. Cincinnati (at Cleveland , OH ) 106–105 Cleveland Arena 23–1 25 November 29, 1969 Detroit 98–110 Madison Square Garden 23–2
December (10–5) (Home: 5–3; Road: 4–2; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 26 December 2, 1969 Seattle 129–109 Madison Square Garden 24–2 27 December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore 116–107 Baltimore Civic Center 25–2 28 December 6, 1969 Milwaukee 124–99 Madison Square Garden 26–2 29 December 9, 1969 Cincinnati 101–103 Madison Square Garden 26–3 30 December 10, 1969 @ Milwaukee 96–95 MECCA Arena 26–3 31 December 11, 1969 @ Seattle 105–112 Seattle Center Coliseum 27–4 32 December 13, 1969 Philadelphia 93–100 Madison Square Garden 27–5 33 December 16, 1969 Atlanta 124–125 (OT) Madison Square Garden 27–6 34 December 19, 1969 @ Chicago 108–99 Chicago Stadium 28–6 35 December 20, 1969 Baltimore 128–91 Madison Square Garden 29–6 36 December 25, 1969 Detroit 112–111 Madison Square Garden 30–6 37 December 26, 1969 @ Los Angeles 106–114 The Forum 30–7 38 December 27, 1969 vs. Seattle (at Vancouver , BC ) 119–117 Pacific Coliseum 31–7 39 December 28, 1969 @ Phoenix 135–116 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 32–7 40 December 30, 1969 Chicago 116–96 Madison Square Garden 33–7
January (12–4) (Home: 4–1; Road: 7–3; Neutral: 1–0)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 41 January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee 105–118 MECCA Arena 33–8 42 January 3, 1970 Boston 104–111 Madison Square Garden 33–9 43 January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore 129–99 Baltimore Civic Center 34–9 44 January 7, 1970 @ San Francisco 99–94 Cow Palace 35–9 45 January 9, 1970 @ San Francisco 123–93 Cow Palace 36–9 46 January 10, 1970 @ San Diego 115–123 San Diego Sports Arena 36–10 47 January 12, 1970 vs. Phoenix (at Salt Lake City , UT ) 130–114 Salt Palace Acord Arena 37–10 48 January 16, 1970 @ Detroit 104–102 Cobo Center 38–10 49 January 18, 1970 @ Boston 102–109 Boston Garden 38–11 50 January 23, 1970 @ Chicago 120–117 Chicago Stadium 39–11 51 January 24, 1970 San Diego 127–114 Madison Square Garden 40–11 52 January 25, 1970 @ Boston 102–96 Boston Garden 41–11 53 January 27, 1970 Boston 133–100 Madison Square Garden 41–11 54 January 29, 1970 Detroit 127–106 Madison Square Garden 43–11 55 January 30, 1970 @ Philadelphia 104–100 The Spectrum 44–11 56 January 31, 1970 Chicago 123–104 Madison Square Garden 45–11
February (9–4) (Home: 6–2; Road: 3–2)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 57 February 1, 1970 @ Detroit 117–111 Cobo Center 46–11 58 February 3, 1970 San Francisco 118–98 Madison Square Garden 47–11 59 February 4, 1970 @ Atlanta 96–111 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 47–12 60 February 6, 1970 @ Cincinnati 135–92 Cincinnati Gardens 48–12 61 February 7, 1970 Cincinnati 121–114 Madison Square Garden 49–12 62 February 11, 1970 Boston 118–125 (OT) Madison Square Garden 49–13 63 February 13, 1970 @ Philadelphia 151–106 The Spectrum 50–13 64 February 14, 1970 Philadelphia 116–114 Madison Square Garden 51–13 65 February 17, 1970 Los Angeles 114–93 Madison Square Garden 52–13 66 February 21, 1970 Atlanta 106–122 Madison Square Garden 52–14 67 February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore 104–110 Baltimore Civic Center 52–15 68 February 24, 1970 Phoenix 121–105 Madison Square Garden 53–15 69 February 28, 1970 Baltimore 115–101 Madison Square Garden 54–15
March (6–7) (Home: 3–3; Road: 3–3; Neutral: 0–1)
Game Date Time Opponent Score Location Attendance Record 70 March 3, 1970 San Francisco 115–100 Madison Square Garden 55–15 71 March 6, 1970 San Diego 107–103 Madison Square Garden 56–15 72 March 7, 1970 @ Philadelphia 111–104 The Spectrum 57–15 73 March 8, 1970 Philadelphia 116–133 Madison Square Garden 57–16 74 March 10, 1970 Seattle 117–99 Madison Square Garden 58–16 75 March 13, 1970 vs. Seattle (at Portland , OR ) 103–115 Memorial Coliseum 58–17 76 March 14, 1970 @ San Diego 119–103 San Diego Sports Arena 59–17 77 March 15, 1970 @ Los Angeles 101–106 The Forum 59–18 78 March 17, 1970 @ Detroit 122–106 Cobo Center 60–18 79 March 18, 1970 Milwaukee 108–116 Madison Square Garden 60–19 80 March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta 102–110 Alexander Memorial Coliseum 60–20 81 March 21, 1970 Cincinnati 120–136 Madison Square Garden 60–21 82 March 22, 1970 @ Boston 112–115 Boston Garden 60–22
1969–70 Schedule
All times are EASTERN time
1970 playoff game log Division Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Division Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
1970 schedule
Regular-season series New York lost 2–4 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 293 282 130 694 Hawks 6 293 279 122 680
Regular-season series New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 254 127 710 Bullets 6 288 236 135 607
Regular-season series New York lost 3–4 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 341 302 180 784 Celtics 7 341 281 192 754
Regular-season series New York won 6–0 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 292 113 697 Bulls 6 288 223 156 602
Regular-season series New York won 5–2 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 336 313 163 789 Royals 7 336 271 171 713
Regular-season series New York won 6–1 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 336 317 162 796 Pistons 7 336 290 158 738
Regular-season series New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 254 127 635 Lakers 6 288 236 135 607
Regular-season series New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 277 100 654 Bucks 6 288 252 125 629
Regular-season series New York won 5–2 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 336 309 178 789 76ers 7 336 294 163 751
Regular-season series New York won 6–0 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 310 150 770 Suns 6 288 246 172 664
Regular-season series New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 294 132 720 Rockets 6 288 232 200 664
Regular-season series New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 274 132 680 Warriors 6 288 228 144 600
Regular-season series New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 6 288 283 133 699 SuperSonics 6 288 240 173 653
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Opponents 82 19730 3308 2062 8682
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 346 307 137 746 Bullets 7 346 286 163 735
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 5 240 238 91 567 Bucks 5 240 208 99 515
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Knicks 7 346 332 122 786 Lakers 7 346 302 176 780
Team Games Played Minutes Played Field Goals Free Throws Rebounds Assists Points Opponents 19 922 796 438 2030
Date Opponent Channel October 15, 1969 @ Cincinnati WOR-TV October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WOR-TV October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WOR-TV November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV November 26, 1969 @ Atlanta WOR-TV December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WOR-TV December 10, 1969 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV February 4, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WOR-TV March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WOR-TV April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WOR-TV
Some New York Knicks TV Games never aired on WOR-TV because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL ).
Date Opponent Cable TV October 14, 1969 Seattle Manhattan Cable Television October 18, 1969 Los Angeles Manhattan Cable Television October 21, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television October 23, 1969 San Francisco Manhattan Cable Television October 25, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television October 28, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television October 30, 1969 San Diego Manhattan Cable Television November 1, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television November 22, 1969 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television December 6, 1969 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television December 16, 1969 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television December 20, 1969 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television February 21, 1970 Atlanta Manhattan Cable Television February 24, 1970 Phoenix Manhattan Cable Television February 28, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television March 18, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television March 26, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television April 2, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television April 6, 1970 Baltimore Manhattan Cable Television April 13, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television April 20, 1970 Milwaukee Manhattan Cable Television
Date Opponent Network Play-by-play Color analyst January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC March 29, 1970 Baltimore ABC April 5, 1970 @ Baltimore ABC April 11, 1970 Milwaukee ABC April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee ABC April 24, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman April 27, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman May 4, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman May 8, 1970 Los Angeles ABC Chris Schenkel Jack Twyman
Date Opponent Flagship station October 14, 1969 Seattle WHN October 17, 1969 @ Chicago WHN October 18, 1969 Los Angeles WHN October 21, 1969 Phoenix WHN October 23, 1969 San Francisco WHN October 24, 1969 @ Detroit WHN October 25, 1969 Baltimore WHN October 28, 1969 Atlanta WHN October 30, 1969 San Diego WHN November 1, 1969 Milwaukee WHN November 3, 1969 @ Milwaukee WHN December 5, 1969 @ Baltimore WHN December 6, 1969 Milwaukee WHN December 16, 1969 Atlanta WHN December 20, 1969 Baltimore WHN January 2, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN January 6, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN February 21, 1970 Atlanta WHN February 22, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN February 28, 1970 Baltimore WHN March 18, 1970 Milwaukee WHN March 20, 1970 @ Atlanta WHN March 26, 1970 Baltimore WHN March 27, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN March 29, 1970 Baltimore WHN March 31, 1970 @ Baltimore WHN April 2, 1970 Baltimore WHN April 6, 1970 Baltimore WHN April 11, 1970 Milwaukee WHN April 13, 1970 Milwaukee WHN April 17, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN April 19, 1970 @ Milwaukee WHN April 20, 1970 Milwaukee WHN April 24, 1970 Los Angeles WHN April 27, 1970 Los Angeles WHN April 29, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN May 1, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN May 4, 1970 Los Angeles WHN May 6, 1970 @ Los Angeles WHN May 8, 1970 Los Angeles WHN
Some New York Knicks radio games never aired on WHN because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL ).
Public Address Announcer [ edit ] Madison Square Garden PA Announcer John Condon
Transactions listed are from July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1970.
1970 NBA Expansion Draft [ edit ] 20th NBA All-Star Game [ edit ] New York Knicks NBA All-Star representatives at the 1970 NBA All-Star Game in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania at The Spectrum .
Without question, the defining moment in the series occurred in Game 7, where an injured Reed limped onto the court right before the start of the game.
On a re-creation of that moment, Marv Albert described it: "Here comes Willis! The crowd is going wild! Willis passes the scorers table, he grabs a basketball. The Lakers have stopped (shooting), the Lakers are watching Willis!"
He scored the game's first two baskets and proceeded not to score for the remainder of the game. Contrary to popular lore, he did not sit out after his first two baskets, but remained on the floor for 27 minutes. Despite his lack of scoring after his first four points, Reed's heroics inspired the team, and they won the game by a score of 113–99. The entire starting line up for the 69–70 Knicks had their jerseys retired by the New York Knicks. The jerseys of Walt Frazier (#10), Willis Reed (#19), Dave DeBusschere (#22), Bill Bradley (#24), and Dick Barnett (#12) all hang from the rafters at Madison Square Garden . Reed walking on to the court was voted the greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history.
Game Date Result Site Series Game 1 April 24 (Fri.) New York Knicks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 112 @ New York Knicks lead, 1 game to 0 Game 2 April 27 (Mon.) Los Angeles Lakes 105, New York Knicks 103 @ New York Series tied, 1 game each Game 3 April 29 (Wed.) New York Knicks 111, Los Angeles Lakers 108 @ Los Angeles Knicks lead, 2 games to 1 Game 4 May 1 (Fri.) Los Angeles Lakers 121, New York Knicks 105 @ Los Angeles Series tied, 2 games each Game 5 May 4 (Mon.) New York Knicks 107, Los Angeles Lakers 100 @ New York Knicks lead, 3 games to 2 Game 6 May 6 (Wed.) Los Angeles Lakers 135, New York Knicks 113 @ Los Angeles Series tied, 3 games each Game 7 May 8 (Fri.) New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99 @ New York Knicks win, 4 games to 3
Knicks win series 4–3
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