New York Knicks 1968-69 Roster and Stats

The 1968-69 New York Knicks season marked a pivotal period for the franchise, setting the foundation for future success. Under the leadership of head coach Red Holzman, the Knicks finished the regular season with a 54-28 record, securing second place in the Eastern Division. This impressive performance was fueled by the dynamic play of key players such as Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, and Dick Barnett. The team’s robust defense and cohesive teamwork were instrumental in their success, earning them recognition as one of the toughest teams in the league.

In the playoffs, the Knicks continued their strong performance, defeating the Baltimore Bullets in the Eastern Division Semifinals. The series was fiercely contested, but the Knicks emerged victorious with a 4-0 sweep, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the court. However, their postseason run was halted in the Eastern Division Finals, where they faced the formidable Boston Celtics. Despite a valiant effort, the Knicks were defeated in a hard-fought six-game series, losing 4-2 to the eventual NBA champions.

The 1968-69 season was a significant step forward for the New York Knicks, as it highlighted their potential to compete at the highest level. This season laid the groundwork for the team’s success in the early 1970s, ultimately leading to their first NBA Championship in the 1969-70 season. The combination of strategic coaching, strong defense, and emerging star talent made the 1968-69 Knicks a formidable force in the NBA.

Regular Season Record: 54-28
Playoff Result: Division Semifinals: 4-0, Division Finals: 2-4

New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1968-69 Season

POINTS

Willis Reed

21.1

REBOUNDS

Willis Reed

14.4

ASSISTS

Walt Frazier

7.8

	Regular Season							Playoffs
Player	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%	GP	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	3P%
Willis Reed	82	21.1	14.4	2.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	25.7	14.1	1.9	0.0	0.0	0.0
Cazzie Russell	50	18.3	4.2	2.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	5	2.4	1.0	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0
Dick Barnett	82	17.6	3.1	3.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	16.7	3.5	2.7	0.0	0.0	0.0
Walt Frazier	80	17.5	6.3	7.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	21.2	7.4	9.1	0.0	0.0	0.0
Dave DeBusschere	47	16.4	11.4	2.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	16.3	13.8	3.3	0.0	0.0	0.0
Walt Bellamy	35	15.2	11.0	2.2	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Bill Bradley	82	12.4	4.3	3.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	16.0	7.3	4.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Howard Komives	32	9.0	3.0	4.2	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Phil Jackson	47	7.1	5.3	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Don May	48	4.3	2.4	0.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	9	2.8	2.6	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0
Nate Bowman	67	2.9	3.3	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	1.1	3.2	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0
Bill Hosket	50	2.6	1.9	0.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	4	1.5	1.8	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Mike Riordan	54	2.3	1.0	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	10	5.2	1.7	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0

New York Knicks in the 1969 NBA Playoffs

Playoffs Second Round vs. Baltimore Bullets

In the 1969 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals, marking a significant chapter in their storied rivalry. Despite the Knicks' dynamic roster, including Walt Frazier and Willis Reed, they were ultimately outmaneuvered by the Celtics' experience and depth, losing the series 4-2. This defeat underscored the Knicks' need for further development, setting the stage for their eventual success in the early 1970s.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Mar 27, 1969	@ Baltimore Bullets	W 113-101	Walt Frazier (26 pts)
Mar 29, 1969	vs. Baltimore Bullets	W 107-91	Dick Barnett (27 pts)
Mar 30, 1969	@ Baltimore Bullets	W 119-116	Willis Reed (35 pts)
Apr 02, 1969	vs. Baltimore Bullets	W 115-108	Willis Reed (43 pts)

1969 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Apr 06, 1969	vs. Boston Celtics	L 108-100	Walt Frazier (34 pts)
Apr 09, 1969	@ Boston Celtics	L 112-97	Willis Reed (28 pts)
Apr 10, 1969	vs. Boston Celtics	W 101-91	Walt Frazier (26 pts)
Apr 13, 1969	@ Boston Celtics	L 97-96	Willis Reed (22 pts)
Apr 14, 1969	vs. Boston Celtics	W 112-104	Willis Reed (24 pts)
Apr 18, 1969	@ Boston Celtics	L 106-105	Willis Reed (32 pts)

New York Knicks 1968-69 Regular Season Game Log

Here is the game log for the 1968-69 season for the New York Knicks.

Date	Opponent	Result	High Scorer
Oct 15, 1968	vs. Chicago Bulls	L 100-96	Cazzie Russell (29 pts)
Oct 19, 1968	vs. Los Angeles Lakers	L 118-96	Walt Bellamy (22 pts)
Oct 22, 1968	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	W 117-114	Cazzie Russell (27 pts)
Oct 23, 1968	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 114-112	Willis Reed (23 pts)
Oct 24, 1968	@ Phoenix Suns	L 109-92	Willis Reed (24 pts)
Oct 26, 1968	vs. Cincinnati Royals	W 98-92	Cazzie Russell (26 pts)
Oct 29, 1968	vs. San Francisco Warriors	W 110-97	Cazzie Russell (24 pts)
Oct 30, 1968	@ Cincinnati Royals	L 118-114	Willis Reed (21 pts)
Nov 01, 1968	vs. Baltimore Bullets	L 119-103	Howard Komives (24 pts)
Nov 02, 1968	@ Detroit Pistons	L 112-104	Willis Reed (34 pts)
Nov 03, 1968	@ Seattle SuperSonics	W 122-108	Cazzie Russell (35 pts)
Nov 05, 1968	@ San Diego Rockets	L 113-109	Cazzie Russell (26 pts)
Nov 06, 1968	@ San Francisco Warriors	L 94-93	Cazzie Russell (18 pts)
Nov 08, 1968	@ Los Angeles Lakers	L 102-100	Willis Reed (22 pts)
Nov 10, 1968	@ Los Angeles Lakers	L 130-109	Dick Barnett (26 pts)
Nov 14, 1968	vs. Cincinnati Royals	L 110-101	Cazzie Russell (28 pts)
Nov 16, 1968	vs. Chicago Bulls	W 119-97	Cazzie Russell (24 pts)
Nov 19, 1968	vs. San Diego Rockets	L 113-107	Dick Barnett (22 pts)
Nov 20, 1968	@ Atlanta Hawks	L 111-106	Dick Barnett (26 pts)
Nov 22, 1968	@ Chicago Bulls	W 114-107	Cazzie Russell (23 pts)
Nov 23, 1968	vs. Boston Celtics	W 111-100	Walt Bellamy (29 pts)
Nov 26, 1968	vs. Los Angeles Lakers	W 104-100	Walt Frazier (21 pts)
Nov 27, 1968	@ Boston Celtics	L 131-117	Walt Bellamy (22 pts)
Nov 30, 1968	vs. Detroit Pistons	W 120-108	Walt Bellamy (32 pts)
Dec 03, 1968	vs. Atlanta Hawks	W 126-93	Dick Barnett (24 pts)
Dec 04, 1968	@ Atlanta Hawks	W 121-113	Cazzie Russell (26 pts)
Dec 07, 1968	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 119-113	Cazzie Russell (26 pts)
Dec 08, 1968	@ Cincinnati Royals	L 120-115	Dick Barnett (27 pts)
Dec 10, 1968	vs. Phoenix Suns	W 111-106	Willis Reed (35 pts)
Dec 11, 1968	@ Baltimore Bullets	L 118-110	Dick Barnett (31 pts)
Dec 13, 1968	@ Chicago Bulls	W 94-83	Dick Barnett (22 pts)
Dec 14, 1968	vs. San Diego Rockets	W 112-105	Cazzie Russell (25 pts)
Dec 15, 1968	@ Philadelphia 76ers	L 110-104	Cazzie Russell (25 pts)
Dec 17, 1968	vs. San Francisco Warriors	W 114-99	Walt Bellamy (24 pts)
Dec 18, 1968	@ Boston Celtics	W 104-98	Dick Barnett (24 pts)
Dec 20, 1968	@ Detroit Pistons	W 135-87	Dave DeBusschere (21 pts)
Dec 21, 1968	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 131-105	Cazzie Russell (27 pts)
Dec 25, 1968	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	W 110-109	Willis Reed (25 pts)
Dec 27, 1968	@ San Diego Rockets	W 111-109	Cazzie Russell (23 pts)
Dec 28, 1968	@ Seattle SuperSonics	W 111-108	Willis Reed (26 pts)
Dec 29, 1968	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 120-112	Willis Reed (34 pts)
Dec 31, 1968	vs. Baltimore Bullets	W 121-110	Willis Reed (39 pts)
Jan 04, 1969	vs. Detroit Pistons	W 111-103	Cazzie Russell (23 pts)
Jan 07, 1969	@ Chicago Bulls	L 102-101	Willis Reed (28 pts)
Jan 08, 1969	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 115-101	Willis Reed (25 pts)
Jan 09, 1969	@ Phoenix Suns	W 134-120	Willis Reed (34 pts)
Jan 11, 1969	@ San Francisco Warriors	W 85-77	Willis Reed (22 pts)
Jan 12, 1969	@ San Diego Rockets	W 105-102	Willis Reed (36 pts)
Jan 17, 1969	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 114-94	Walt Frazier (27 pts)
Jan 18, 1969	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 117-109	Cazzie Russell (41 pts)
Jan 19, 1969	@ Atlanta Hawks	L 100-96	Walt Frazier (25 pts)
Jan 21, 1969	vs. Seattle SuperSonics	W 113-106	Willis Reed (27 pts)
Jan 22, 1969	@ Philadelphia 76ers	L 140-137	Willis Reed (37 pts)
Jan 24, 1969	@ Detroit Pistons	L 107-106	Dick Barnett (34 pts)
Jan 25, 1969	vs. Milwaukee Bucks	W 113-96	Willis Reed (29 pts)
Jan 28, 1969	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	W 121-88	Willis Reed (30 pts)
Jan 30, 1969	@ Baltimore Bullets	W 109-106	Walt Frazier (28 pts)
Feb 01, 1969	vs. Boston Celtics	W 109-82	Bill Bradley (28 pts)
Feb 02, 1969	@ Boston Celtics	W 95-94	Dick Barnett (24 pts)
Feb 04, 1969	vs. Atlanta Hawks	W 122-97	Bill Bradley (25 pts)
Feb 05, 1969	@ Milwaukee Bucks	W 111-102	Willis Reed (24 pts)
Feb 07, 1969	@ Chicago Bulls	W 105-98	Willis Reed (31 pts)
Feb 08, 1969	vs. Baltimore Bullets	W 106-100	Dick Barnett (32 pts)
Feb 12, 1969	vs. Phoenix Suns	W 112-105	Willis Reed (28 pts)
Feb 15, 1969	vs. San Francisco Warriors	W 98-92	Walt Frazier (24 pts)
Feb 18, 1969	vs. Los Angeles Lakers	L 113-109	Walt Frazier (30 pts)
Feb 19, 1969	@ Cincinnati Royals	L 110-100	Walt Frazier (27 pts)
Feb 22, 1969	vs. San Diego Rockets	L 108-104	Walt Frazier (30 pts)
Feb 25, 1969	vs. Atlanta Hawks	W 122-101	Willis Reed (33 pts)
Feb 26, 1969	@ Boston Celtics	W 92-88	Walt Frazier (28 pts)
Mar 01, 1969	vs. Boston Celtics	W 115-96	Willis Reed (30 pts)
Mar 04, 1969	vs. Detroit Pistons	W 102-99	Dave DeBusschere (21 pts)
Mar 05, 1969	@ Detroit Pistons	L 128-120	Dave DeBusschere (26 pts)
Mar 07, 1969	vs. Phoenix Suns	W 119-87	Walt Frazier (24 pts)
Mar 09, 1969	@ Philadelphia 76ers	L 110-101	Willis Reed (27 pts)
Mar 11, 1969	vs. Philadelphia 76ers	W 121-101	Dave DeBusschere (38 pts)
Mar 12, 1969	@ Baltimore Bullets	L 111-110	Dick Barnett (28 pts)
Mar 15, 1969	vs. Cincinnati Royals	W 121-108	Willis Reed (36 pts)
Mar 19, 1969	vs. Baltimore Bullets	W 104-100	Willis Reed (37 pts)
Mar 21, 1969	@ Phoenix Suns	W 139-104	Walt Frazier (24 pts)
Mar 22, 1969	@ San Francisco Warriors	W 117-90	Dick Barnett (35 pts)
Mar 23, 1969	@ Los Angeles Lakers	L 128-111	Willis Reed (26 pts)

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