The 1996-97 New York Knicks season marked a period of transition and ambition for the franchise. Under the leadership of head coach Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks finished the regular season with a 57-25 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. This was an improvement from their previous season, thanks in part to the acquisition of All-Star guard Allan Houston, who came from the Detroit Pistons, and Larry Johnson from the Charlotte Hornets. These additions complemented the strong presence of Patrick Ewing, John Starks, and Charles Oakley.
The Knicks’ solid performance was characterized by a tough defense and a balanced offensive approach. Ewing led the team in scoring, averaging 22.4 points per game, while Houston and Johnson provided additional firepower. The team was also known for its physical style of play, a hallmark of Van Gundy’s coaching philosophy, which often stifled opponents and created opportunities for fast breaks and transition scoring.
In the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets in the first round with a 3-0 sweep, showcasing their defensive prowess and depth. However, their postseason run was halted by the Miami Heat in a contentious seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The series was notable for its physicality and the infamous altercation in Game 5, which resulted in multiple suspensions for the Knicks. Despite the disappointing end, the season laid a solid foundation for future success, highlighting the team’s potential and resilience under Van Gundy’s guidance.
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 3-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1996-97 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 78 | 22.4 | 10.7 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 22.2 | 9 | 22.6 | 10.6 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 0.0 |
| Allan Houston | 81 | 14.8 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 38.5 | 9 | 19.2 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 50.0 |
| John Starks | 77 | 13.8 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 36.9 | 9 | 14.0 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 31.7 |
| Larry Johnson | 76 | 12.8 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 32.4 | 9 | 13.8 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 35.3 |
| Charles Oakley | 80 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 26.3 | 10 | 9.8 | 8.8 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Chris Childs | 65 | 9.3 | 2.9 | 6.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 38.7 | 10 | 10.4 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 34.6 |
| Buck Williams | 74 | 6.3 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 10 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Charlie Ward | 79 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 31.2 | 9 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 11.1 |
| John Wallace | 68 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 50.0 | 4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Chris Jent | 3 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 66.7 | |||||||
| Herb Williams | 21 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Walter McCarty | 35 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 28.6 | 2 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Brooks | 38 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 41.7 | 4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New York Knicks in the 1997 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Charlotte Hornets
In the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced off against the Charlotte Hornets. The Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, showcased their imposing defensive prowess and depth, winning the series 3-0. Their dominance in the paint and the ability to stifle the Hornets' offense set the tone for what was expected to be a deep playoff run.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 109-99 | |
| Apr 26, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 100-93 | |
| Apr 28, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 104-95 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Miami Heat
In the 1997 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Miami Heat in a highly contentious second-round series. The matchup became infamous for its physicality and dramatic turns, culminating in a Game 5 brawl that led to multiple suspensions for the Knicks. Despite taking a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks were unable to close it out, eventually losing the series 4-3 to the Heat.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | W 88-79 | |
| May 09, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 88-84 | |
| May 11, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 77-73 | |
| May 12, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 89-76 | |
| May 14, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 96-81 | |
| May 16, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | L 95-90 | |
| May 18, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 101-90 |
New York Knicks 1996-97 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1996-97 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 107-99 | |
| Nov 03, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 113-86 | |
| Nov 05, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 98-92 | |
| Nov 07, 1996 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 105-100 | |
| Nov 08, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 88-81 | |
| Nov 10, 1996 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 101-82 | |
| Nov 12, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 101-97 | |
| Nov 14, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 99-96 | |
| Nov 16, 1996 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 82-79 | |
| Nov 19, 1996 | @ Orlando Magic | W 92-88 | |
| Nov 20, 1996 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 93-86 | |
| Nov 23, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 109-92 | |
| Nov 24, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-92 | |
| Nov 30, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-101 | |
| Dec 03, 1996 | vs. Miami Heat | L 99-75 | |
| Dec 04, 1996 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 109-102 | |
| Dec 06, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | W 103-85 | |
| Dec 07, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 89-80 | |
| Dec 10, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 85-73 | |
| Dec 12, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 90-79 | |
| Dec 14, 1996 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 89-82 | |
| Dec 17, 1996 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 99-94 | |
| Dec 18, 1996 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 112-78 | |
| Dec 20, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-103 | |
| Dec 21, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 95-92 | |
| Dec 23, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 82-76 | |
| Dec 26, 1996 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 88-80 | |
| Dec 28, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 96-85 | |
| Dec 30, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 98-86 | |
| Jan 02, 1997 | @ Washington Bullets | W 92-80 | |
| Jan 04, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 88-71 | |
| Jan 05, 1997 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-92 | |
| Jan 07, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 102-72 | |
| Jan 10, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | W 111-98 | |
| Jan 11, 1997 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 112-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 106-86 | |
| Jan 15, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 94-77 | |
| Jan 18, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 105-98 | |
| Jan 20, 1997 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 95-79 | |
| Jan 21, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 88-87 | |
| Jan 23, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 92-90 | |
| Jan 24, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 113-104 | |
| Jan 26, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | W 95-89 | |
| Jan 28, 1997 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 109-107 | |
| Jan 29, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 75-65 | |
| Feb 02, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 99-93 | |
| Feb 04, 1997 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 99-95 | |
| Feb 06, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 96-84 | |
| Feb 11, 1997 | @ Washington Bullets | W 97-92 | |
| Feb 13, 1997 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-92 | |
| Feb 16, 1997 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 89-80 | |
| Feb 18, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 95-94 | |
| Feb 20, 1997 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 109-87 | |
| Feb 21, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 84-64 | |
| Feb 23, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 127-121 | |
| Feb 25, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 110-99 | |
| Feb 26, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 96-95 | |
| Feb 28, 1997 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 112-108 | |
| Mar 02, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 90-82 | |
| Mar 04, 1997 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 93-86 | |
| Mar 05, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 100-94 | |
| Mar 07, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | W 113-102 | |
| Mar 09, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 97-93 | |
| Mar 11, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 91-83 | |
| Mar 16, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 89-74 | |
| Mar 18, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-73 | |
| Mar 19, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-100 | |
| Mar 22, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 80-79 | |
| Mar 23, 1997 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 94-88 | |
| Mar 26, 1997 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 105-94 | |
| Mar 28, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 92-86 | |
| Mar 30, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | W 101-86 | |
| Apr 01, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 94-88 | |
| Apr 04, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 93-84 | |
| Apr 05, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 102-97 | |
| Apr 08, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 93-73 | |
| Apr 10, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 105-103 | |
| Apr 12, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | W 100-99 | |
| Apr 14, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-107 | |
| Apr 16, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 96-92 | |
| Apr 18, 1997 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 97-89 | |
| Apr 19, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 103-101 |