The 2003-04 New York Knicks season was marked by significant changes and a push towards re-establishing themselves as a competitive force in the NBA. The Knicks finished the regular season with a 39-43 record, securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This marked a return to the postseason after missing out the previous two years.
A pivotal moment for the Knicks came mid-season when Isiah Thomas took over as the team president on December 22, 2003. Thomas quickly made an impact by orchestrating a blockbuster trade, acquiring Stephon Marbury from the Phoenix Suns in early January. Marbury, a Brooklyn native, was expected to revitalize the team’s offense and become a cornerstone for future success. The team also added Penny Hardaway in the same trade, aiming to bolster their roster depth.
Despite these changes, the Knicks struggled with consistency throughout the season. Coaching changes also played a role, as Don Chaney was replaced by Lenny Wilkens in January 2004. Wilkens, a Hall of Fame coach, brought experience and a new vision to the team.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the New Jersey Nets in the first round. The series was challenging, and the Knicks were swept 4-0 by their cross-river rivals. The early exit underscored the need for further adjustments and improvements. Despite the playoff sweep, the season was viewed as a step forward, setting the stage for ongoing rebuilding efforts under Thomas’s leadership.
- Regular Season Record: 39-43
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 2003-04 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Stephon Marbury | 47 | 19.8 | 3.1 | 9.3 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 32.1 | 4 | 21.3 | 4.3 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 30.0 |
| Allan Houston | 50 | 18.5 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 43.1 | |||||||
| Keith Van Horn | 47 | 16.4 | 7.3 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 37.3 | |||||||
| Tim Thomas | 24 | 15.8 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 40.6 | 1 | 12.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Thomas | 80 | 11.1 | 8.3 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 12.8 | 11.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Anfernee Hardaway | 42 | 9.6 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 36.4 | 4 | 16.5 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 35.7 |
| Nazr Mohammed | 27 | 9.1 | 7.7 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 4 | 10.3 | 5.8 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Charlie Ward | 35 | 8.7 | 2.7 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 42.8 | |||||||
| Antonio McDyess | 18 | 8.4 | 6.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Shandon Anderson | 80 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 28.1 | 4 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 28.6 |
| Howard Eisley | 33 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 4.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 32.9 | |||||||
| Vin Baker | 17 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 50.0 | 4 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 65 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 3 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| DerMarr Johnson | 21 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 36.1 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Michael Doleac | 46 | 5.0 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Othella Harrington | 56 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Sweetney | 42 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Moochie Norris | 36 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 34.3 | |||||||
| Frank Williams | 56 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 30.0 | 4 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 30.8 |
| Clarence Weatherspoon | 15 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bruno Šundov | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Cezary Trybański | 3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
New York Knicks in the 2004 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the 2004 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the New Jersey Nets in Round 1, where they were swept in a 4-0 series. Despite the efforts of Stephon Marbury, who led the team, the Knicks struggled to contain the Nets' dynamic duo of Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. This marked the Knicks' first playoff appearance since 2001, but they were ultimately outmatched by the Nets' speed and defensive prowess.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-83 | |
| Apr 20, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-81 | |
| Apr 22, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 81-78 | |
| Apr 25, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 100-94 |
New York Knicks 2003-04 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2003-04 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2003 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 85-83 | |
| Nov 01, 2003 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 86-74 | |
| Nov 03, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | W 75-68 | |
| Nov 05, 2003 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-90 | |
| Nov 07, 2003 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 114-111 | |
| Nov 08, 2003 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 90-87 | |
| Nov 10, 2003 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 94-80 | |
| Nov 14, 2003 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 85-80 | |
| Nov 15, 2003 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 95-94 | |
| Nov 17, 2003 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 89-86 | |
| Nov 19, 2003 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-83 | |
| Nov 21, 2003 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 94-85 | |
| Nov 22, 2003 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 99-88 | |
| Nov 24, 2003 | @ Boston Celtics | W 94-88 | |
| Nov 26, 2003 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 97-92 | |
| Nov 27, 2003 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 93-70 | |
| Nov 29, 2003 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 79-74 | |
| Dec 01, 2003 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 79-78 | |
| Dec 03, 2003 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 95-87 | |
| Dec 05, 2003 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 88-81 | |
| Dec 06, 2003 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 104-92 | |
| Dec 09, 2003 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 98-90 | |
| Dec 10, 2003 | @ Utah Jazz | L 95-73 | |
| Dec 13, 2003 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 95-88 | |
| Dec 14, 2003 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 89-87 | |
| Dec 16, 2003 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 104-86 | |
| Dec 19, 2003 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 105-99 | |
| Dec 20, 2003 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 103-92 | |
| Dec 23, 2003 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 98-92 | |
| Dec 26, 2003 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 98-94 | |
| Dec 27, 2003 | @ Miami Heat | W 100-80 | |
| Dec 29, 2003 | @ Orlando Magic | W 114-86 | |
| Dec 30, 2003 | vs. Miami Heat | W 102-73 | |
| Jan 02, 2004 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 104-99 | |
| Jan 04, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 95-85 | |
| Jan 06, 2004 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 107-96 | |
| Jan 08, 2004 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 111-79 | |
| Jan 10, 2004 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 94-88 | |
| Jan 12, 2004 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 127-121 | |
| Jan 14, 2004 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 120-110 | |
| Jan 16, 2004 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-88 | |
| Jan 17, 2004 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 101-96 | |
| Jan 19, 2004 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 90-79 | |
| Jan 21, 2004 | @ Houston Rockets | L 86-71 | |
| Jan 23, 2004 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 96-94 | |
| Jan 24, 2004 | vs. Miami Heat | L 85-77 | |
| Jan 27, 2004 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 77-67 | |
| Jan 30, 2004 | @ Boston Celtics | W 92-74 | |
| Jan 31, 2004 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 110-105 | |
| Feb 03, 2004 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 97-90 | |
| Feb 07, 2004 | @ Miami Heat | W 76-64 | |
| Feb 08, 2004 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-104 | |
| Feb 10, 2004 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 105-90 | |
| Feb 11, 2004 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 106-98 | |
| Feb 17, 2004 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 92-88 | |
| Feb 20, 2004 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 92-78 | |
| Feb 22, 2004 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 92-86 | |
| Feb 24, 2004 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 107-99 | |
| Feb 25, 2004 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 113-95 | |
| Feb 27, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 96-94 | |
| Feb 29, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 107-96 | |
| Mar 03, 2004 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 88-77 | |
| Mar 05, 2004 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 109-103 | |
| Mar 07, 2004 | @ Washington Wizards | W 99-86 | |
| Mar 09, 2004 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 87-84 | |
| Mar 12, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 99-94 | |
| Mar 14, 2004 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-100 | |
| Mar 16, 2004 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 114-110 | |
| Mar 19, 2004 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 79-65 | |
| Mar 20, 2004 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 87-81 | |
| Mar 22, 2004 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 96-84 | |
| Mar 24, 2004 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 111-97 | |
| Mar 26, 2004 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 108-101 | |
| Mar 27, 2004 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-85 | |
| Mar 29, 2004 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 92-91 | |
| Apr 02, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-83 | |
| Apr 03, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 86-75 | |
| Apr 06, 2004 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 107-86 | |
| Apr 07, 2004 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 96-82 | |
| Apr 10, 2004 | @ Washington Wizards | W 102-98 | |
| Apr 12, 2004 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 101-97 | |
| Apr 14, 2004 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 100-90 |