The 1953-54 New York Knicks season was marked by competitiveness and near success in the Eastern Division of the NBA. The team was coached by Joe Lapchick, who led the Knicks through a regular season that ended with a 44-28 record, securing them a second-place finish in the division. The Knicks showcased a balanced team effort, with contributions from key players like Harry Gallatin, who was an All-Star that season, and Carl Braun, who provided consistent scoring.
During the regular season, the Knicks demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, which were crucial in their pursuit of a playoff spot. Their performance was characterized by strategic gameplay and teamwork, allowing them to compete closely with the division-leading Syracuse Nationals. The Knicks’ ability to execute under pressure was evident in their numerous close games throughout the season.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division Semifinals. They emerged victorious in a best-of-three series, winning 2-1. Advancing to the Eastern Division Finals, they faced the Syracuse Nationals. Despite their efforts, the Knicks were unable to overcome Syracuse, losing the series 2-0. The 1953-54 season, while not culminating in a championship, demonstrated the Knicks’ resilience and set the stage for future success in the NBA.
- Regular Season Record: 44-28
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1953-54 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Carl Braun | 76 | 14.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Harry Gallatin | 76 | 13.2 | 7.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Connie Simmons | 76 | 10.1 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Nat Clifton | 76 | 9.5 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Fred Schaus | 48 | 8.6 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Dick McGuire | 71 | 8.6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Vince Boryla | 55 | 8.1 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jim Baechtold | 74 | 6.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ernie Vandeweghe | 15 | 6.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Al McGuire | 69 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ed Smith | 13 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Joe Smyth | 8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Don Ackerman | 32 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks 1953-54 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1953-54 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1953 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | W 91-67 | |
| Nov 04, 1953 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | W 73-67 | |
| Nov 06, 1953 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | W 80-68 | |
| Nov 07, 1953 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 70-62 | |
| Nov 08, 1953 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 75-70 | |
| Nov 12, 1953 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 81-65 | |
| Nov 14, 1953 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 88-83 | |
| Nov 15, 1953 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 91-79 | |
| Nov 18, 1953 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 88-83 | |
| Nov 19, 1953 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 96-85 | |
| Nov 21, 1953 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 68-67 | |
| Nov 22, 1953 | @ Syracuse Nationals | W 84-80 | |
| Nov 24, 1953 | @ Boston Celtics | W 103-92 | |
| Nov 25, 1953 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-84 | |
| Nov 28, 1953 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 95-90 | |
| Nov 29, 1953 | @ Rochester Royals | W 69-64 | |
| Dec 03, 1953 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | L 79-74 | |
| Dec 05, 1953 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | L 92-73 | |
| Dec 10, 1953 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 113-108 | |
| Dec 11, 1953 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | L 82-70 | |
| Dec 12, 1953 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 71-67 | |
| Dec 13, 1953 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 69-68 | |
| Dec 15, 1953 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | W 80-79 | |
| Dec 19, 1953 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 65-63 | |
| Dec 20, 1953 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 75-67 | |
| Dec 25, 1953 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 89-80 | |
| Dec 26, 1953 | @ Rochester Royals | W 78-77 | |
| Dec 27, 1953 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 79-76 | |
| Dec 30, 1953 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 86-79 | |
| Dec 31, 1953 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 95-74 | |
| Jan 02, 1954 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 78-74 | |
| Jan 03, 1954 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 74-72 | |
| Jan 07, 1954 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 82-70 | |
| Jan 09, 1954 | @ Rochester Royals | W 88-87 | |
| Jan 10, 1954 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 81-69 | |
| Jan 13, 1954 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | L 93-72 | |
| Jan 14, 1954 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 83-71 | |
| Jan 16, 1954 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | W 88-82 | |
| Jan 17, 1954 | @ Boston Celtics | W 87-84 | |
| Jan 19, 1954 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | W 78-75 | |
| Jan 22, 1954 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 84-82 | |
| Jan 23, 1954 | vs. Milwaukee Hawks | W 75-63 | |
| Jan 24, 1954 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | L 68-66 | |
| Jan 26, 1954 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 74-71 | |
| Jan 28, 1954 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 79-66 | |
| Jan 30, 1954 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 66-65 | |
| Jan 31, 1954 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 114-70 | |
| Feb 03, 1954 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 91-79 | |
| Feb 04, 1954 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | L 90-82 | |
| Feb 06, 1954 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 98-83 | |
| Feb 07, 1954 | @ Boston Celtics | W 87-78 | |
| Feb 10, 1954 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 73-69 | |
| Feb 11, 1954 | @ Boston Celtics | L 84-81 | |
| Feb 13, 1954 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | L 79-73 | |
| Feb 14, 1954 | @ Boston Celtics | L 103-89 | |
| Feb 16, 1954 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 87-85 | |
| Feb 17, 1954 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 84-80 | |
| Feb 18, 1954 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 69-60 | |
| Feb 20, 1954 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 89-75 | |
| Feb 21, 1954 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 85-76 | |
| Feb 23, 1954 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | L 100-82 | |
| Feb 25, 1954 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | L 82-62 | |
| Feb 27, 1954 | vs. Milwaukee Hawks | L 58-57 | |
| Feb 28, 1954 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 83-78 | |
| Mar 02, 1954 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 86-71 | |
| Mar 03, 1954 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 88-79 | |
| Mar 05, 1954 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 70-66 | |
| Mar 07, 1954 | vs. Rochester Royals | L 91-88 | |
| Mar 09, 1954 | @ Milwaukee Hawks | W 72-65 | |
| Mar 10, 1954 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | W 85-76 | |
| Mar 13, 1954 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 67-60 | |
| Mar 14, 1954 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 113-83 |