The 1991-92 New York Knicks season marked a significant turnaround for the franchise under new head coach Pat Riley. After struggling in previous years, the Knicks finished the regular season with a 51-31 record, securing second place in the Atlantic Division and fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. This improvement was largely attributed to Riley’s defensive-minded coaching style, which revitalized the team’s performance on both ends of the court.
Center Patrick Ewing was the cornerstone of the Knicks’ success, delivering outstanding performances throughout the season. Ewing averaged 24 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game, earning him an All-NBA Second Team selection and a spot in the NBA All-Star Game. The supporting cast, including Charles Oakley, John Starks, and Mark Jackson, provided crucial contributions, embodying Riley’s tenacious defensive philosophy.
In the playoffs, the Knicks demonstrated their newfound grit and resilience. They faced the Detroit Pistons in the first round, defeating them in a hard-fought five-game series. In the semifinals, the Knicks squared off against the defending NBA champions, the Chicago Bulls. Despite pushing the series to seven games, the Knicks ultimately fell to Michael Jordan and the Bulls, who would go on to win the championship. The 1991-92 season set the foundation for the Knicks’ competitive presence throughout the 1990s, establishing them as a formidable team in the Eastern Conference.
- Regular Season Record: 51-31
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 3-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1991-92 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 82 | 24.0 | 11.2 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 16.7 | 12 | 22.7 | 11.1 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
| John Starks | 82 | 13.9 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 34.8 | 12 | 12.1 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 23.9 |
| Xavier McDaniel | 82 | 13.7 | 5.6 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 30.8 | 12 | 18.8 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 25.0 |
| Gerald Wilkins | 82 | 12.4 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 35.2 | 12 | 8.9 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 7.7 |
| Mark Jackson | 81 | 11.3 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 25.6 | 12 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 7.2 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 19.0 |
| Anthony Mason | 82 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | 67 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 39.4 | 8 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 80.0 |
| Charles Oakley | 82 | 6.2 | 8.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 5.3 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Greg Anthony | 82 | 5.5 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 14.6 | 12 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 41.7 |
| Brian Quinnett | 24 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 38.5 | |||||||
| Kennard Winchester | 15 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 50.0 | 3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Carlton McKinney | 2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Tim McCormick | 22 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Patrick Eddie | 4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| James Donaldson | 14 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
New York Knicks in the 1992 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the first round of the 1992 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Detroit Pistons in a hard-fought series that went to the full five games. Led by Patrick Ewing's dominance in the paint, the Knicks ultimately prevailed, securing a 3-2 series victory. This triumph marked a significant step for the Knicks, showcasing their resilience and setting the stage for a deep playoff run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1992 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 109-75 | |
| Apr 26, 1992 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 89-88 | |
| Apr 28, 1992 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 90-87 | |
| May 01, 1992 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 86-82 | |
| May 03, 1992 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 94-87 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1992 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks delivered a gritty performance in the second round against the Chicago Bulls. Despite the Knicks' tenacity and physical play, led by Patrick Ewing, they ultimately fell to the Bulls in a fiercely contested seven-game series. The series highlighted the Knicks' potential and foreshadowed the intense rivalry that would define much of the early '90s in the NBA.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1992 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 94-89 | |
| May 07, 1992 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 86-78 | |
| May 09, 1992 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 94-86 | |
| May 10, 1992 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 93-86 | |
| May 12, 1992 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 96-88 | |
| May 14, 1992 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 100-86 | |
| May 17, 1992 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 110-81 |
New York Knicks 1991-92 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1991-92 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1991 | @ Orlando Magic | L 106-96 | |
| Nov 02, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | L 107-93 | |
| Nov 05, 1991 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 113-85 | |
| Nov 07, 1991 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 128-100 | |
| Nov 09, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 118-113 | |
| Nov 12, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 98-96 | |
| Nov 13, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-107 | |
| Nov 16, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 106-89 | |
| Nov 19, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | L 90-79 | |
| Nov 20, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 92-89 | |
| Nov 22, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-90 | |
| Nov 23, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-92 | |
| Nov 26, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 98-81 | |
| Nov 30, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 103-96 | |
| Dec 02, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 99-97 | |
| Dec 06, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 103-92 | |
| Dec 07, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 137-128 | |
| Dec 10, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 114-88 | |
| Dec 11, 1991 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 96-87 | |
| Dec 13, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 99-89 | |
| Dec 14, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-101 | |
| Dec 17, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 102-94 | |
| Dec 21, 1991 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-97 | |
| Dec 23, 1991 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 97-91 | |
| Dec 26, 1991 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 118-89 | |
| Dec 28, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 115-106 | |
| Jan 02, 1992 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 110-103 | |
| Jan 04, 1992 | @ Washington Bullets | W 113-99 | |
| Jan 05, 1992 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 108-104 | |
| Jan 07, 1992 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 109-94 | |
| Jan 08, 1992 | @ Boston Celtics | L 99-95 | |
| Jan 11, 1992 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 100-96 | |
| Jan 14, 1992 | @ Orlando Magic | W 115-111 | |
| Jan 15, 1992 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-91 | |
| Jan 17, 1992 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 90-85 | |
| Jan 18, 1992 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-106 | |
| Jan 20, 1992 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 105-97 | |
| Jan 22, 1992 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 119-109 | |
| Jan 24, 1992 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 114-109 | |
| Jan 25, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-93 | |
| Jan 27, 1992 | @ Utah Jazz | W 97-80 | |
| Jan 29, 1992 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 101-89 | |
| Jan 31, 1992 | @ Washington Bullets | W 125-114 | |
| Feb 02, 1992 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 120-113 | |
| Feb 04, 1992 | vs. Miami Heat | W 122-91 | |
| Feb 06, 1992 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 102-85 | |
| Feb 12, 1992 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 111-104 | |
| Feb 13, 1992 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 106-85 | |
| Feb 15, 1992 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 99-98 | |
| Feb 17, 1992 | @ Miami Heat | W 104-102 | |
| Feb 18, 1992 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 110-97 | |
| Feb 20, 1992 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 92-89 | |
| Feb 22, 1992 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 98-87 | |
| Feb 24, 1992 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 104-95 | |
| Feb 26, 1992 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 81-68 | |
| Feb 27, 1992 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 110-109 | |
| Feb 29, 1992 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 103-87 | |
| Mar 01, 1992 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 90-75 | |
| Mar 03, 1992 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 102-83 | |
| Mar 05, 1992 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 101-91 | |
| Mar 07, 1992 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 107-78 | |
| Mar 09, 1992 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-99 | |
| Mar 10, 1992 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-104 | |
| Mar 14, 1992 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 96-94 | |
| Mar 17, 1992 | @ Orlando Magic | W 99-86 | |
| Mar 19, 1992 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-92 | |
| Mar 21, 1992 | vs. Miami Heat | W 105-88 | |
| Mar 24, 1992 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 126-117 | |
| Mar 26, 1992 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 106-104 | |
| Mar 28, 1992 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 92-87 | |
| Mar 29, 1992 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-96 | |
| Mar 31, 1992 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 96-90 | |
| Apr 02, 1992 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 117-96 | |
| Apr 03, 1992 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 115-94 | |
| Apr 05, 1992 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 97-93 | |
| Apr 07, 1992 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 103-94 | |
| Apr 08, 1992 | @ Boston Celtics | L 93-89 | |
| Apr 10, 1992 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-99 | |
| Apr 12, 1992 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 72-61 | |
| Apr 14, 1992 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 93-90 | |
| Apr 15, 1992 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 95-94 | |
| Apr 18, 1992 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 114-103 |