The 1972-73 New York Knicks had a memorable NBA season, culminating in their second championship win. Coached by Red Holzman, the team finished the regular season with a 57-25 record, placing second in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks were known for their strong defense and team-oriented play, featuring stars like Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Dave DeBusschere.
In the playoffs, the Knicks first faced the Baltimore Bullets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They won the series 4-1, showcasing their ability to dominate both ends of the court. The Eastern Conference Finals saw the Knicks matched against the Boston Celtics. This series was more challenging, but the Knicks prevailed with a 4-3 victory, earning a spot in the NBA Finals.
The NBA Finals pitted the Knicks against the Los Angeles Lakers, the same team they lost to in the previous year’s finals. The Knicks were determined to reclaim the title and executed their game plan effectively. They won the series 4-1, securing the championship on May 10, 1973, with a decisive 102-93 victory in Game 5. Willis Reed, who had returned from injury, played a crucial role, and Earl Monroe’s performance was also pivotal in the Knicks’ success.
This season remains a highlight in Knicks history, celebrated for its team chemistry and resilience. The championship victory was a testament to their depth and strategic prowess, firmly establishing the 1972-73 Knicks as one of the franchise’s greatest teams.
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-3, NBA Finals: 4-1
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1972-73 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Walt Frazier | 78 | 21.1 | 7.2 | 5.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 21.9 | 7.3 | 6.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave DeBusschere | 77 | 16.4 | 10.2 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 15.6 | 10.5 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Bradley | 82 | 16.1 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 14.0 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Earl Monroe | 75 | 15.5 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16 | 16.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Willis Reed | 69 | 11.0 | 8.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 12.5 | 7.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jerry Lucas | 71 | 9.9 | 7.2 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Phil Jackson | 80 | 8.1 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 8.7 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dean Meminger | 80 | 5.7 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Henry Bibby | 55 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dick Barnett | 51 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| John Gianelli | 52 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Riker | 14 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Harthorne Wingo | 13 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Luther Rackley | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks in the 1973 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Baltimore Bullets
In the 1973 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced off against the Baltimore Bullets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Knicks showcased their defensive prowess and depth, overcoming the Bullets in a hard-fought series that went to seven games. This victory propelled them into the Conference Finals, setting the stage for their eventual championship run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 95-83 | |
| Apr 01, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 123-103 | |
| Apr 04, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 103-96 | |
| Apr 06, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 97-89 | |
| Apr 08, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 109-99 |
1973 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1973 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks showcased their resilience and tactical superiority in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Led by the exceptional play of Walt Frazier and the defensive prowess of Willis Reed, the Knicks overcame the Celtics in a hard-fought series, clinching victory in seven games. This triumph propelled them to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately secured the championship, marking a triumphant chapter in the franchise's history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 134-108 | |
| Apr 18, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 129-96 | |
| Apr 20, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | W 98-91 | |
| Apr 22, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 117-110 | |
| Apr 25, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 98-97 | |
| Apr 27, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 110-100 | |
| Apr 29, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | W 94-78 |
1973 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 01, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 115-112 | |
| May 03, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 99-95 | |
| May 06, 1973 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 87-83 | |
| May 08, 1973 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 103-98 | |
| May 10, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 102-93 |
New York Knicks 1972-73 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1972-73 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 1972 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 113-89 | |
| Oct 14, 1972 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 125-100 | |
| Oct 15, 1972 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 109-101 | |
| Oct 17, 1972 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 103-95 | |
| Oct 20, 1972 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 92-89 | |
| Oct 21, 1972 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-88 | |
| Oct 24, 1972 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 123-90 | |
| Oct 27, 1972 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 92-88 | |
| Oct 28, 1972 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 94-90 | |
| Nov 01, 1972 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 122-85 | |
| Nov 03, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-80 | |
| Nov 04, 1972 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 127-104 | |
| Nov 06, 1972 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 111-95 | |
| Nov 09, 1972 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 101-99 | |
| Nov 10, 1972 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-106 | |
| Nov 11, 1972 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 103-102 | |
| Nov 14, 1972 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 103-97 | |
| Nov 16, 1972 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 119-100 | |
| Nov 18, 1972 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 87-86 | |
| Nov 21, 1972 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 108-80 | |
| Nov 24, 1972 | @ Boston Celtics | L 114-97 | |
| Nov 25, 1972 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 97-94 | |
| Nov 28, 1972 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 107-84 | |
| Nov 29, 1972 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 139-91 | |
| Dec 01, 1972 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-74 | |
| Dec 02, 1972 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 119-94 | |
| Dec 05, 1972 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 125-103 | |
| Dec 08, 1972 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 91-89 | |
| Dec 09, 1972 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-109 | |
| Dec 12, 1972 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 114-93 | |
| Dec 13, 1972 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 121-120 | |
| Dec 15, 1972 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 90-86 | |
| Dec 16, 1972 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 97-83 | |
| Dec 19, 1972 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 117-84 | |
| Dec 20, 1972 | @ Houston Rockets | W 124-102 | |
| Dec 22, 1972 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 98-87 | |
| Dec 25, 1972 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 113-110 | |
| Dec 26, 1972 | @ Boston Celtics | L 115-106 | |
| Dec 28, 1972 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 107-86 | |
| Dec 29, 1972 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-94 | |
| Dec 30, 1972 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 100-98 | |
| Jan 02, 1973 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-92 | |
| Jan 05, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 129-106 | |
| Jan 06, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 116-106 | |
| Jan 09, 1973 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 116-115 | |
| Jan 11, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 122-107 | |
| Jan 12, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | W 104-103 | |
| Jan 14, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 86-84 | |
| Jan 16, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 102-101 | |
| Jan 19, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 95-88 | |
| Jan 21, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | L 107-103 | |
| Jan 25, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 99-92 | |
| Jan 27, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-108 | |
| Jan 28, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | W 96-93 | |
| Jan 29, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 97-84 | |
| Jan 31, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 94-91 | |
| Feb 02, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 89-77 | |
| Feb 03, 1973 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-90 | |
| Feb 04, 1973 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-97 | |
| Feb 06, 1973 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 95-90 | |
| Feb 10, 1973 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 107-93 | |
| Feb 14, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 100-98 | |
| Feb 16, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 102-98 | |
| Feb 17, 1973 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-89 | |
| Feb 18, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 114-98 | |
| Feb 20, 1973 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-106 | |
| Feb 23, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 84-83 | |
| Feb 24, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 125-97 | |
| Feb 27, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 123-91 | |
| Mar 01, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 114-100 | |
| Mar 03, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 97-75 | |
| Mar 04, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 106-97 | |
| Mar 06, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-94 | |
| Mar 07, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-94 | |
| Mar 10, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 125-102 | |
| Mar 11, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 122-107 | |
| Mar 13, 1973 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 115-111 | |
| Mar 16, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 109-98 | |
| Mar 17, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-108 | |
| Mar 18, 1973 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 99-96 | |
| Mar 21, 1973 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 98-93 | |
| Mar 24, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 108-103 |