The 2002-03 NBA season was a challenging one for the New York Knicks, marked by struggles and underperformance. The team finished with a 37-45 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This season was characterized by inconsistency and injuries, which hindered their ability to compete effectively in the Eastern Conference.
Don Chaney served as the head coach, a role he maintained despite the team’s difficulties. The Knicks were led by Allan Houston, who provided a bright spot with his scoring ability, averaging 22.5 points per game. Latrell Sprewell also contributed, though his season was marred by injuries and off-court issues. The team struggled defensively, ranking near the bottom of the league in key defensive metrics.
The Knicks’ roster included several veteran players, but they lacked cohesion and depth. This season also saw the acquisition of Antonio McDyess, who unfortunately missed the entire season due to a knee injury, further compounding the team’s woes. The lack of a strong inside presence and the inability to close out tight games were recurring issues throughout the season.
Overall, the 2002-03 season was a disappointing chapter for the Knicks, reflecting a period of transition and uncertainty. The team’s performance highlighted the need for a strategic rebuild, focusing on younger talent and a more solid defensive framework to return to playoff contention in the future.
- Regular Season Record: 37-45
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 2002-03 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Allan Houston | 82 | 22.5 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 39.6 | |||||||
| Latrell Sprewell | 74 | 16.4 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 37.2 | |||||||
| Kurt Thomas | 81 | 14.0 | 7.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 66.8 | |||||||
| Howard Eisley | 82 | 9.1 | 2.3 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 38.9 | |||||||
| Shandon Anderson | 82 | 8.4 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 37.1 | |||||||
| Othella Harrington | 74 | 7.7 | 6.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Charlie Ward | 66 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 37.8 | |||||||
| Clarence Weatherspoon | 79 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Lee Nailon | 38 | 5.5 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Michael Doleac | 75 | 4.4 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Lavor Postell | 12 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 28.6 | |||||||
| Travis Knight | 32 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Frank Williams | 21 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 37.5 | |||||||
New York Knicks 2002-03 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2002-03 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2002 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 86-77 | |
| Nov 01, 2002 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 98-86 | |
| Nov 02, 2002 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 117-107 | |
| Nov 04, 2002 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 97-88 | |
| Nov 06, 2002 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 95-88 | |
| Nov 08, 2002 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 107-94 | |
| Nov 10, 2002 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 97-91 | |
| Nov 12, 2002 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 108-87 | |
| Nov 16, 2002 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 93-92 | |
| Nov 18, 2002 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 94-91 | |
| Nov 22, 2002 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 105-97 | |
| Nov 24, 2002 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 106-88 | |
| Nov 27, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 87-81 | |
| Nov 30, 2002 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 92-86 | |
| Dec 02, 2002 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 125-93 | |
| Dec 04, 2002 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 87-85 | |
| Dec 06, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | L 91-80 | |
| Dec 07, 2002 | @ Washington Wizards | L 100-97 | |
| Dec 10, 2002 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 97-80 | |
| Dec 13, 2002 | @ Miami Heat | W 97-92 | |
| Dec 14, 2002 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 113-90 | |
| Dec 17, 2002 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 101-99 | |
| Dec 21, 2002 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 94-90 | |
| Dec 22, 2002 | vs. Miami Heat | L 92-84 | |
| Dec 27, 2002 | @ Houston Rockets | W 99-83 | |
| Dec 28, 2002 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 107-82 | |
| Dec 30, 2002 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 96-95 | |
| Jan 01, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 95-75 | |
| Jan 03, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 98-96 | |
| Jan 05, 2003 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 92-89 | |
| Jan 06, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-100 | |
| Jan 08, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 89-87 | |
| Jan 10, 2003 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-112 | |
| Jan 11, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 89-84 | |
| Jan 13, 2003 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-94 | |
| Jan 14, 2003 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 98-86 | |
| Jan 17, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 99-82 | |
| Jan 18, 2003 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 95-92 | |
| Jan 20, 2003 | vs. Miami Heat | W 72-65 | |
| Jan 22, 2003 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 97-88 | |
| Jan 24, 2003 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 101-90 | |
| Jan 26, 2003 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 106-98 | |
| Jan 28, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 103-98 | |
| Jan 29, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | L 82-80 | |
| Jan 31, 2003 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 108-102 | |
| Feb 01, 2003 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 107-100 | |
| Feb 04, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-92 | |
| Feb 06, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-109 | |
| Feb 12, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 113-107 | |
| Feb 14, 2003 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-115 | |
| Feb 16, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-110 | |
| Feb 17, 2003 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 99-91 | |
| Feb 19, 2003 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-94 | |
| Feb 21, 2003 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 111-107 | |
| Feb 23, 2003 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 99-92 | |
| Feb 25, 2003 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 102-95 | |
| Feb 26, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 105-76 | |
| Feb 28, 2003 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 118-110 | |
| Mar 02, 2003 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 99-90 | |
| Mar 04, 2003 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 89-80 | |
| Mar 05, 2003 | @ Boston Celtics | L 97-95 | |
| Mar 07, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | W 111-102 | |
| Mar 09, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 97-96 | |
| Mar 11, 2003 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 87-85 | |
| Mar 14, 2003 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 107-104 | |
| Mar 16, 2003 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 120-111 | |
| Mar 18, 2003 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 105-97 | |
| Mar 19, 2003 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 101-96 | |
| Mar 21, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 97-93 | |
| Mar 22, 2003 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 100-98 | |
| Mar 24, 2003 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 100-90 | |
| Mar 26, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 101-95 | |
| Mar 28, 2003 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 122-101 | |
| Mar 30, 2003 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 95-86 | |
| Apr 02, 2003 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 83-75 | |
| Apr 04, 2003 | @ Utah Jazz | W 94-92 | |
| Apr 05, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 109-98 | |
| Apr 08, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-95 | |
| Apr 11, 2003 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-103 | |
| Apr 12, 2003 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 104-99 | |
| Apr 14, 2003 | @ Washington Wizards | W 93-79 | |
| Apr 15, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 109-93 |