The 1990-91 New York Knicks season marked the franchise’s 45th season in the NBA. Coached by John MacLeod, the team concluded the regular season with a record of 39-43, finishing third in the Atlantic Division. Despite a sub-.500 record, the Knicks secured a playoff berth as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Patrick Ewing, the team’s star center, led the Knicks with a standout season, averaging 26.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. His performance earned him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. The roster also included key contributors such as Charles Oakley, who provided strength under the basket with his rebounding and defensive skills, and Mark Jackson, known for his playmaking abilities.
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Knicks faced the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, in the first round. The Bulls, who would go on to win the NBA Championship that year, proved to be too strong for the Knicks, sweeping them in three games. The series highlighted the gap between the Knicks and the elite teams in the league, emphasizing the need for further improvements.
Following the season, the Knicks made significant changes, including the hiring of Pat Riley as head coach, aiming to build a more competitive team around Ewing. The 1990-91 season was a transitional period that set the stage for the Knicks’ resurgence in the subsequent years under Riley’s leadership.
- Regular Season Record: 39-43
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-3
New York Knicks Roster and Stats for 1990-91 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Patrick Ewing | 81 | 26.6 | 11.2 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 16.7 | 10.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Kiki Vandeweghe | 75 | 16.3 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 36.2 | 3 | 17.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 60.0 |
| Gerald Wilkins | 68 | 13.8 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 20.9 | 3 | 10.7 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 28.6 |
| Charles Oakley | 76 | 11.2 | 12.1 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 7.7 | 10.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Mark Jackson | 72 | 8.8 | 2.7 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 25.5 | 3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Maurice Cheeks | 76 | 7.8 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 3 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 33.3 |
| John Starks | 61 | 7.6 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 29.0 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Trent Tucker | 65 | 7.1 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 41.8 | 3 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Brian Quinnett | 68 | 4.7 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 34.9 | 3 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Jerrod Mustaf | 62 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Walker | 54 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Eddie Lee Wilkins | 68 | 4.1 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Stuart Gray | 8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Greg Grant | 22 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 33.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
New York Knicks in the 1991 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the New York Knicks faced the Chicago Bulls in the first round. Despite a strong effort from Patrick Ewing, the Knicks were outmatched by Michael Jordan's Bulls, ultimately getting swept 3-0 in the best-of-five series. The series highlighted the growing dominance of the Bulls and set the stage for their eventual championship run that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 126-85 | |
| Apr 28, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 89-79 | |
| Apr 30, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 103-94 |
New York Knicks 1990-91 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1990-91 season for the New York Knicks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 1990 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 134-130 | |
| Nov 03, 1990 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 106-103 | |
| Nov 06, 1990 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 96-91 | |
| Nov 08, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 114-103 | |
| Nov 10, 1990 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 93-88 | |
| Nov 11, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 109-103 | |
| Nov 13, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-110 | |
| Nov 15, 1990 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 141-125 | |
| Nov 17, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-79 | |
| Nov 20, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 115-88 | |
| Nov 24, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 107-97 | |
| Nov 27, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 107-102 | |
| Nov 28, 1990 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 90-83 | |
| Nov 30, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 103-97 | |
| Dec 01, 1990 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 113-96 | |
| Dec 04, 1990 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 113-102 | |
| Dec 07, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 108-98 | |
| Dec 08, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 99-86 | |
| Dec 11, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 109-90 | |
| Dec 13, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 87-76 | |
| Dec 15, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 125-104 | |
| Dec 18, 1990 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 100-97 | |
| Dec 19, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 104-94 | |
| Dec 21, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | L 87-85 | |
| Dec 22, 1990 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 106-93 | |
| Dec 26, 1990 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 108-92 | |
| Dec 29, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 109-100 | |
| Jan 02, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 113-86 | |
| Jan 03, 1991 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 135-108 | |
| Jan 06, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 99-90 | |
| Jan 08, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 101-87 | |
| Jan 10, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 129-122 | |
| Jan 12, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-92 | |
| Jan 14, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 96-82 | |
| Jan 16, 1991 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 93-89 | |
| Jan 18, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | L 107-86 | |
| Jan 19, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-97 | |
| Jan 21, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-116 | |
| Jan 23, 1991 | @ Utah Jazz | W 109-94 | |
| Jan 24, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 120-117 | |
| Jan 26, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 112-94 | |
| Jan 28, 1991 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 115-106 | |
| Jan 29, 1991 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 108-107 | |
| Jan 31, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 107-98 | |
| Feb 02, 1991 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 92-78 | |
| Feb 05, 1991 | @ Orlando Magic | L 118-116 | |
| Feb 07, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 117-101 | |
| Feb 12, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 114-110 | |
| Feb 14, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 102-92 | |
| Feb 15, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 90-85 | |
| Feb 17, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 116-88 | |
| Feb 19, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 110-102 | |
| Feb 21, 1991 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 120-101 | |
| Feb 23, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | W 104-101 | |
| Feb 24, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | W 108-92 | |
| Feb 26, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 112-109 | |
| Feb 28, 1991 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 100-93 | |
| Mar 02, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 115-105 | |
| Mar 05, 1991 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 107-102 | |
| Mar 06, 1991 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 102-99 | |
| Mar 09, 1991 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 101-92 | |
| Mar 11, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 90-85 | |
| Mar 13, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 102-94 | |
| Mar 14, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 125-121 | |
| Mar 17, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 102-101 | |
| Mar 19, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 97-79 | |
| Mar 20, 1991 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-97 | |
| Mar 22, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 104-102 | |
| Mar 23, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | L 111-98 | |
| Mar 26, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 129-119 | |
| Mar 28, 1991 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 106-104 | |
| Mar 30, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 130-117 | |
| Apr 03, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 95-84 | |
| Apr 04, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 101-91 | |
| Apr 06, 1991 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 101-88 | |
| Apr 09, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 108-106 | |
| Apr 10, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 100-84 | |
| Apr 12, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 112-108 | |
| Apr 14, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 115-102 | |
| Apr 16, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-99 | |
| Apr 19, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 130-118 | |
| Apr 20, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 108-102 |