The 1995-96 New York Knicks season was one of transition and competition in the Eastern Conference. Under the guidance of head coach Don Nelson, the team aimed to build on its previous successes. However, Nelson’s tenure was short-lived, as he was replaced mid-season by assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. This coaching change marked a pivotal moment as the team sought stability and direction.
The Knicks ended the regular season with a record of 47-35, landing them in third place in the Atlantic Division. The team was anchored by the stalwart play of center Patrick Ewing, who continued to be a dominant force, averaging 22.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Alongside him, guard John Starks provided offensive firepower, while Charles Oakley contributed with his gritty defense and rebounding.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. They secured a 3-0 series sweep, showcasing their defensive tenacity and playoff experience. However, their postseason run was halted in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, who returned to the NBA after a brief retirement. The Knicks were eliminated in five games, as the Bulls went on to win the NBA Championship.
The 1995-96 season was a year of both challenges and resilience for the Knicks, setting the stage for future developments under Van Gundy’s leadership. Despite the playoff exit, the team demonstrated its competitive spirit and remained a formidable opponent in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1995-96 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 76 | 22.5 | 10.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 14.3 | 8 | 21.5 | 10.6 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 3.1 | 50.0 |
| Anthony Mason | 82 | 14.6 | 9.3 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 8 | 12.6 | 7.8 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Derek Harper | 82 | 14.0 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 37.2 | 8 | 10.0 | 2.1 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 31.4 |
| John Starks | 81 | 12.6 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 36.1 | 8 | 16.0 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 46.7 |
| Charles Oakley | 53 | 11.4 | 8.7 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 26.9 | 8 | 13.1 | 8.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Hubert Davis | 74 | 10.7 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 47.6 | 8 | 6.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 52.6 |
| Charles Smith | 41 | 7.4 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 13.3 | |||||||
| J.R. Reid | 33 | 6.6 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Matt Fish | 2 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Willie Anderson | 27 | 5.0 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 4 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 |
| Gary Grant | 47 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 1 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 66.7 |
| Doug Christie | 23 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 52.6 | |||||||
| Charlie Ward | 62 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 7 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Brad Lohaus | 23 | 3.9 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 42.1 | |||||||
| Herb Williams | 43 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 25.1 | 5 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Ron Grandison | 6 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Monty Williams | 14 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks in the 1996 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the first round of the 1996 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in a tightly contested five-game series. The Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing's dominant performances, ultimately prevailed 3-0, showcasing their defensive prowess and resilience. This victory set the stage for their subsequent matchup against the Chicago Bulls, highlighting the Knicks' competitive edge during the 90s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-83 | |
| Apr 27, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 84-80 | |
| May 01, 1996 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 81-76 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1996 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Chicago Bulls in the second round. Despite a strong showing from Patrick Ewing, the Knicks were overpowered by Michael Jordan and the Bulls, who were in the midst of their historic 72-win season. The Knicks were eliminated in five games, as Chicago advanced with a 4-1 series victory.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 91-84 | |
| May 07, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 91-80 | |
| May 11, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 102-99 | |
| May 12, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 94-91 | |
| May 14, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 94-81 |
New York Knicks 1995-96 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1995-96 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1995 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 106-100 | |
| Nov 04, 1995 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 84-71 | |
| Nov 07, 1995 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 102-94 | |
| Nov 09, 1995 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 10, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | W 110-109 | |
| Nov 12, 1995 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 120-110 | |
| Nov 14, 1995 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 105-99 | |
| Nov 16, 1995 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 120-97 | |
| Nov 17, 1995 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 103-94 | |
| Nov 19, 1995 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-93 | |
| Nov 22, 1995 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-84 | |
| Nov 25, 1995 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 103-88 | |
| Nov 28, 1995 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 102-97 | |
| Nov 29, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 115-105 | |
| Dec 02, 1995 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 94-85 | |
| Dec 03, 1995 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 107-83 | |
| Dec 05, 1995 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 92-87 | |
| Dec 06, 1995 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-94 | |
| Dec 09, 1995 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 101-92 | |
| Dec 10, 1995 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 118-112 | |
| Dec 12, 1995 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 97-82 | |
| Dec 14, 1995 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 103-94 | |
| Dec 16, 1995 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 86-82 | |
| Dec 19, 1995 | vs. Miami Heat | W 89-70 | |
| Dec 22, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 111-90 | |
| Dec 23, 1995 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 103-91 | |
| Dec 28, 1995 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 86-76 | |
| Dec 29, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | L 127-120 | |
| Jan 02, 1996 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 101-92 | |
| Jan 04, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 105-93 | |
| Jan 09, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 98-93 | |
| Jan 10, 1996 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 92-79 | |
| Jan 12, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | W 105-92 | |
| Jan 13, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 119-111 | |
| Jan 15, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 98-92 | |
| Jan 17, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 92-81 | |
| Jan 19, 1996 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-97 | |
| Jan 20, 1996 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 84-80 | |
| Jan 23, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 99-79 | |
| Jan 24, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | W 88-79 | |
| Jan 27, 1996 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-95 | |
| Jan 29, 1996 | vs. Miami Heat | W 94-85 | |
| Feb 01, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 110-102 | |
| Feb 04, 1996 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 90-83 | |
| Feb 05, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 97-91 | |
| Feb 07, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 87-82 | |
| Feb 14, 1996 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 120-100 | |
| Feb 16, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 116-84 | |
| Feb 17, 1996 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 82-77 | |
| Feb 20, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 92-87 | |
| Feb 21, 1996 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 113-110 | |
| Feb 23, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 108-97 | |
| Feb 25, 1996 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 113-105 | |
| Feb 26, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-96 | |
| Feb 28, 1996 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 90-85 | |
| Mar 01, 1996 | @ Utah Jazz | L 99-88 | |
| Mar 03, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 109-94 | |
| Mar 05, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 105-88 | |
| Mar 06, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 89-82 | |
| Mar 08, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 100-92 | |
| Mar 10, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-72 | |
| Mar 13, 1996 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 106-82 | |
| Mar 16, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 94-88 | |
| Mar 20, 1996 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-99 | |
| Mar 21, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-86 | |
| Mar 24, 1996 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 85-79 | |
| Mar 26, 1996 | @ Houston Rockets | W 83-74 | |
| Mar 27, 1996 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 90-84 | |
| Mar 29, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 94-78 | |
| Mar 31, 1996 | @ Orlando Magic | L 98-79 | |
| Apr 02, 1996 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 90-86 | |
| Apr 03, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 98-85 | |
| Apr 05, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 86-79 | |
| Apr 06, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 139-106 | |
| Apr 08, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-98 | |
| Apr 09, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 97-93 | |
| Apr 11, 1996 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 101-97 | |
| Apr 13, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | L 103-95 | |
| Apr 15, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 125-79 | |
| Apr 18, 1996 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 92-77 | |
| Apr 19, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 115-108 | |
| Apr 21, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | W 122-111 |