The 1950-51 New York Knicks season marked the fifth year of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Under the guidance of head coach Joe Lapchick, the Knicks aimed to build on their previous seasons’ performances. The team played its home games at Madison Square Garden, a venue that had become synonymous with New York basketball.
During the regular season, the Knicks finished with a record of 36-30, which placed them third in the Eastern Division. This performance secured them a playoff berth, continuing their streak of postseason appearances. Key contributors to the team’s success included standout players such as Harry Gallatin and Max Zaslofsky, who provided both scoring and defensive prowess throughout the season. Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, one of the first African-American players in the NBA, also played a significant role, bringing both skill and diversity to the roster.
In the playoffs, the Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division Semifinals. They managed to defeat the Celtics in a best-of-three series, winning 2-0. Advancing to the Eastern Division Finals, the Knicks encountered the Syracuse Nationals. The series was hard-fought, but the Knicks ultimately emerged victorious in a tight five-game series, winning 3-2. This victory propelled them to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
In the Finals, the Knicks faced the Rochester Royals. Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks were defeated in a closely contested seven-game series, losing 4-3. The 1950-51 season, however, set the stage for future successes and remains a significant chapter in the team’s storied history.
- Regular Season Record: 36-30
- Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 2-0, Division Finals: 3-2, NBA Finals: 3-4
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1950-51 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Vince Boryla | 66 | 14.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 15.5 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Harry Gallatin | 66 | 12.8 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 11.8 | 6.6 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Max Zaslofsky | 66 | 12.7 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 17.9 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Connie Simmons | 66 | 9.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 10.9 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Nat Clifton | 65 | 8.6 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 7.1 | 4.9 | 3.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dick McGuire | 64 | 8.4 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ernie Vandeweghe | 44 | 7.7 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 7.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ray Lumpp | 64 | 6.7 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| George Kaftan | 57 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tex Ritter | 33 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tony Lavelli | 29 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ray Ellefson | 3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Gene James | 5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
New York Knicks in the 1951 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1951 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals, marking their second consecutive meeting in the playoffs. The Knicks showcased resilience and grit, managing to defeat the Celtics in a closely contested five-game series, 3-2. This victory propelled New York to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, setting the stage for an iconic showdown with the Rochester Royals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 1951 | @ Boston Celtics | W 83-69 | |
| Mar 24, 1951 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 92-78 |
1951 Conference Championship vs. Syracuse Nationals
In the 1951 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks reached the conference finals, showcasing resilience and determination. They faced the Syracuse Nationals in a hard-fought series that went the full five games, ultimately securing a spot in the NBA Finals. This marked a significant achievement for the Knicks, as it was their first appearance in the championship series, setting the stage for future successes in the league.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 103-92 | |
| Mar 29, 1951 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 102-80 | |
| Mar 31, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 77-75 | |
| Apr 01, 1951 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 90-83 | |
| Apr 04, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 83-81 |
1951 NBA Finals vs. Rochester Royals
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 92-65 | |
| Apr 08, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 99-84 | |
| Apr 11, 1951 | vs. Rochester Royals | L 78-71 | |
| Apr 13, 1951 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 79-73 | |
| Apr 15, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | W 92-89 | |
| Apr 18, 1951 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 80-73 | |
| Apr 21, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 79-75 |
New York Knicks 1950-51 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1950-51 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 1950 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | L 87-76 | |
| Nov 05, 1950 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | L 98-95 | |
| Nov 07, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | L 86-73 | |
| Nov 09, 1950 | vs. Indianapolis Olympians | L 85-73 | |
| Nov 11, 1950 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 74-72 | |
| Nov 14, 1950 | @ Washington Capitols | W 92-87 | |
| Nov 16, 1950 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | W 71-69 | |
| Nov 18, 1950 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 93-87 | |
| Nov 19, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 96-83 | |
| Nov 21, 1950 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 89-83 | |
| Nov 22, 1950 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 87-73 | |
| Nov 23, 1950 | vs. Washington Capitols | W 109-78 | |
| Nov 26, 1950 | @ Boston Celtics | L 93-90 | |
| Nov 28, 1950 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 108-84 | |
| Nov 30, 1950 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 79-74 | |
| Dec 03, 1950 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 100-92 | |
| Dec 05, 1950 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | L 95-89 | |
| Dec 06, 1950 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 84-62 | |
| Dec 09, 1950 | @ Washington Capitols | L 91-84 | |
| Dec 10, 1950 | vs. Indianapolis Olympians | W 106-84 | |
| Dec 12, 1950 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | L 101-91 | |
| Dec 16, 1950 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | W 86-77 | |
| Dec 17, 1950 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 95-86 | |
| Dec 19, 1950 | @ Boston Celtics | W 86-80 | |
| Dec 23, 1950 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 83-79 | |
| Dec 25, 1950 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 86-84 | |
| Dec 27, 1950 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | W 79-74 | |
| Dec 30, 1950 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 77-60 | |
| Dec 31, 1950 | @ Boston Celtics | L 100-90 | |
| Jan 01, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 91-88 | |
| Jan 06, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | L 87-85 | |
| Jan 07, 1951 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 79-76 | |
| Jan 08, 1951 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | W 75-70 | |
| Jan 10, 1951 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 70-65 | |
| Jan 13, 1951 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 92-79 | |
| Jan 14, 1951 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 93-91 | |
| Jan 18, 1951 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | W 95-78 | |
| Jan 21, 1951 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 88-83 | |
| Jan 23, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 102-92 | |
| Jan 24, 1951 | vs. Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 95-85 | |
| Jan 27, 1951 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 76-75 | |
| Jan 31, 1951 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 89-77 | |
| Feb 01, 1951 | @ Syracuse Nationals | W 93-90 | |
| Feb 03, 1951 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 83-72 | |
| Feb 04, 1951 | vs. Indianapolis Olympians | L 105-83 | |
| Feb 06, 1951 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 91-82 | |
| Feb 08, 1951 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 96-83 | |
| Feb 10, 1951 | vs. Fort Wayne Pistons | W 73-62 | |
| Feb 11, 1951 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | L 120-96 | |
| Feb 14, 1951 | vs. Rochester Royals | W 81-65 | |
| Feb 15, 1951 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | W 98-93 | |
| Feb 17, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 88-75 | |
| Feb 21, 1951 | @ Boston Celtics | L 87-85 | |
| Feb 22, 1951 | vs. Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 94-90 | |
| Feb 24, 1951 | vs. Philadelphia Warriors | L 70-64 | |
| Feb 25, 1951 | @ Syracuse Nationals | L 98-93 | |
| Feb 27, 1951 | @ Rochester Royals | L 100-90 | |
| Mar 01, 1951 | @ Boston Celtics | W 84-78 | |
| Mar 03, 1951 | vs. Syracuse Nationals | W 97-78 | |
| Mar 04, 1951 | @ Fort Wayne Pistons | L 105-98 | |
| Mar 06, 1951 | @ Philadelphia Warriors | L 96-76 | |
| Mar 08, 1951 | vs. Minneapolis Lakers | W 97-94 | |
| Mar 11, 1951 | @ Baltimore Bullets | L 112-89 | |
| Mar 14, 1951 | @ Tri-Cities Blackhawks | W 92-91 | |
| Mar 15, 1951 | @ Indianapolis Olympians | L 74-70 | |
| Mar 18, 1951 | @ Minneapolis Lakers | L 86-68 |