Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1969–70 New York Knicks season was the 24th season of NBA basketball in New York City. The Knicks had a then single-season NBA record 18 straight victories en route to 60–22 record, which was the best regular season record in the team's history. They set the record for the best start in the first 24 games of a season at 23–1 before the Golden State Warriors surpassed it in 2015. After defeating the Bullets in the Eastern Division semifinals and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Division finals, the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games to capture their first NBA title.
The 1969–70 Knicks are considered to be among New York City 's finest sporting championship teams, and are considered the greatest team in Knicks history and among the best in NBA history. Their journey was chronicled in various books and films, most recently in When the Garden was Eden for ESPN 's 30 for 30 series.
1969–70 New York Knicks roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
SG
12
Barnett, Dick
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1936–10–02
Tennessee State
C
17
Bowman, Nate
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1945–03–19
Wichita State
SF
24
Bradley, Bill
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1943–07–28
Princeton
PF
22
DeBusschere, Dave
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1940–10–16
Detroit Mercy
PG
10
Frazier, Walt
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1945–03–29
Southern Illinois
PF
20
Hosket, Bill Jr.
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1946–12–20
Ohio State
PF
18
Jackson, Phil (IN)
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1945-09-17
North Dakota
SF
5
May, Don
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1946–01–03
Dayton
C
19
Reed, Willis
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1942–06–25
Grambling State
SG
6
Riordan, Mike
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1945–07–09
Providence
SF
33
Russell, Cazzie
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
1944–06–07
Michigan
SF
9
Stallworth, Dave
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1941–12–20
Wichita State
SG
16
Warren, John
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1947–07–07
St. John's
Head coach
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: 1970–05–08
1969–70 Pre Season Game Log
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
All times are EASTERN time
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents [ edit ]
1969–70 NBA records
Team
ATL
BAL
BOS
CHI
CIN
DET
LAL
MIL
NYK
PHI
PHO
SDR
SFW
SEA
Atlanta
—
2–4
6–0
5–2
3–3
3–3
4–3
3–3
4–2
3–3
2–4
4–2
5–2
4–2
Baltimore
4–2
—
5–2
5–1
4–3
5–2
4–2
3–3
1–5
3–4
3–3
6–0
2–4
5–1
Boston
0–6
2–5
—
3–3
3–3
4–3
2–4
1–6
4–3
2–4
2–4
4–2
5–1
2–4
Chicago
2–5
1–5
3–3
—
3–3
3–3
4–2
4–2
0–6
3–3
5–2
3–4
4–2
4–3
Cincinnati
3–3
3–4
3–3
3–3
—
4–2
2–4
2–5
2–5
4–3
3–3
4–2
2–4
1–5
Detroit
3–3
2–5
3–4
3–3
2–4
—
3–3
1–6
1–6
1–5
3–3
3–3
3–3
3–3
Los Angeles
3–4
2–4
4–2
2–4
4–2
3���3
—
3–3
2–4
4–2
3–4
5–2
5–2
6–0
Milwaukee
3–3
3–3
6–1
2–4
5–2
6–1
3–3
—
2–4
5–2
6–0
6–0
4–2
5–1
New York
2–4
5–1
3–4
6–0
5–2
6–1
4–2
4–2
—
5–2
6–0
5–1
5–1
4–2
Philadelphia
3–3
4–3
4–2
3–3
3–4
5–1
2–4
2–5
2–5
—
4–2
4–2
6–0
0–6
Phoenix
4–2
3–3
4–2
2–5
3–3
3–3
4–3
0–6
0–6
2–4
—
7–0
3–3
4–3
San Diego
2–4
0–6
2–4
4–3
2–4
3–3
2–5
0–6
1–5
2–4
0–7
—
5–2
4–2
San Francisco
2–5
4–2
1–5
2–4
4–2
3–3
2–5
2–4
1–5
0–6
3–3
2–5
—
3–4
Seattle
2–4
1–5
4–2
3–4
5–1
3–3
0–6
1–5
2–4
6–0
3–4
2–4
4–3
—
1969–70 Game Log (60–22) (Home: 30–11; Road: 27–10; Neutral: 3–1)
October (9–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 3–0)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
1
October 14, 1969
Seattle
126–101
Madison Square Garden
1–0
2
October 15, 1969
@ Cincinnati
94–89
Cincinnati Gardens
2–0
3
October 17, 1969
@ Chicago
116–87
Chicago Stadium
3–0
4
October 18, 1969
Los Angeles
99–96
Madison Square Garden
4–0
5
October 21, 1969
Phoenix
140–116
Madison Square Garden
5–0
6
October 23, 1969
San Francisco
109–112
Madison Square Garden
5–1
7
October 24, 1969
@ Detroit
116–92
Cobo Center
6–1
8
October 25, 1969
Baltimore
128–99
Madison Square Garden
7–1
9
October 28, 1969
Atlanta
128–104
Madison Square Garden
8–1
10
October 30, 1969
San Diego
123–110
Madison Square Garden
9–1
November (14–1) (Home: 6–1; Road: 7–0; Neutral: 1–0)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
11
November 1, 1969
Milwaukee
112–108
Madison Square Garden
10–1
12
November 3, 1969
@ Milwaukee
109–93
MECCA Arena
11–1
13
November 4, 1969
@ Phoenix
116–99
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12–1
14
November 7, 1969
@ San Diego
129–111
San Diego Sports Arena
13–1
15
November 9, 1969
@ Los Angeles
112–102
The Forum
14–1
16
November 11, 1969
@ San Francisco
116–103
Cow Palace
15–1
17
November 13, 1969
Chicago
114–99
Madison Square Garden
16–1
18
November 15, 1969
Boston
113–98
Madison Square Garden
17–1
19
November 18, 1969
Cincinnati
112–94
Madison Square Garden
18–1
20
November 21, 1969
@ Philadelphia
98–94
The Spectrum
19–1
21
November 22, 1969
Phoenix
128–114
Madison Square Garden
20–1
22
November 25, 1969
Los Angeles
103–96
Madison Square Garden
21–1
23
November 26, 1969
@ Atlanta
138–108
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
22–1
24
November 28, 1969
vs. Cincinnati (at Cleveland , OH )
106–105
Cleveland Arena
23–1
25
November 29, 1969
Detroit
98–110
Madison Square Garden
23–2
December (10–5) (Home: 5–3; Road: 4–2; Neutral: 1–0)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
26
December 2, 1969
Seattle
129–109
Madison Square Garden
24–2
27
December 5, 1969
@ Baltimore
116–107
Baltimore Civic Center
25–2
28
December 6, 1969
Milwaukee
124–99
Madison Square Garden
26–2
29
December 9, 1969
Cincinnati
101–103
Madison Square Garden
26–3
30
December 10, 1969
@ Milwaukee
96–95
MECCA Arena
26–3
31
December 11, 1969
@ Seattle
105–112
Seattle Center Coliseum
27–4
32
December 13, 1969
Philadelphia
93–100
Madison Square Garden
27–5
33
December 16, 1969
Atlanta
124–125 (OT)
Madison Square Garden
27–6
34
December 19, 1969
@ Chicago
108–99
Chicago Stadium
28–6
35
December 20, 1969
Baltimore
128–91
Madison Square Garden
29–6
36
December 25, 1969
Detroit
112–111
Madison Square Garden
30–6
37
December 26, 1969
@ Los Angeles
106–114
The Forum
30–7
38
December 27, 1969
vs. Seattle (at Vancouver , BC )
119–117
Pacific Coliseum
31–7
39
December 28, 1969
@ Phoenix
135–116
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
32–7
40
December 30, 1969
Chicago
116–96
Madison Square Garden
33–7
January (12–4) (Home: 4–1; Road: 7–3; Neutral: 1–0)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
41
January 2, 1970
@ Milwaukee
105–118
MECCA Arena
33–8
42
January 3, 1970
Boston
104–111
Madison Square Garden
33–9
43
January 6, 1970
@ Baltimore
129–99
Baltimore Civic Center
34–9
44
January 7, 1970
@ San Francisco
99–94
Cow Palace
35–9
45
January 9, 1970
@ San Francisco
123–93
Cow Palace
36–9
46
January 10, 1970
@ San Diego
115–123
San Diego Sports Arena
36–10
47
January 12, 1970
vs. Phoenix (at Salt Lake City , UT )
130–114
Salt Palace Acord Arena
37–10
48
January 16, 1970
@ Detroit
104–102
Cobo Center
38–10
49
January 18, 1970
@ Boston
102–109
Boston Garden
38–11
50
January 23, 1970
@ Chicago
120–117
Chicago Stadium
39–11
51
January 24, 1970
San Diego
127–114
Madison Square Garden
40–11
52
January 25, 1970
@ Boston
102–96
Boston Garden
41–11
53
January 27, 1970
Boston
133–100
Madison Square Garden
41–11
54
January 29, 1970
Detroit
127–106
Madison Square Garden
43–11
55
January 30, 1970
@ Philadelphia
104–100
The Spectrum
44–11
56
January 31, 1970
Chicago
123–104
Madison Square Garden
45–11
February (9–4) (Home: 6–2; Road: 3–2)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
57
February 1, 1970
@ Detroit
117–111
Cobo Center
46–11
58
February 3, 1970
San Francisco
118–98
Madison Square Garden
47–11
59
February 4, 1970
@ Atlanta
96–111
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
47–12
60
February 6, 1970
@ Cincinnati
135–92
Cincinnati Gardens
48–12
61
February 7, 1970
Cincinnati
121–114
Madison Square Garden
49–12
62
February 11, 1970
Boston
118–125 (OT)
Madison Square Garden
49–13
63
February 13, 1970
@ Philadelphia
151–106
The Spectrum
50–13
64
February 14, 1970
Philadelphia
116–114
Madison Square Garden
51–13
65
February 17, 1970
Los Angeles
114–93
Madison Square Garden
52–13
66
February 21, 1970
Atlanta
106–122
Madison Square Garden
52–14
67
February 22, 1970
@ Baltimore
104–110
Baltimore Civic Center
52–15
68
February 24, 1970
Phoenix
121–105
Madison Square Garden
53–15
69
February 28, 1970
Baltimore
115–101
Madison Square Garden
54–15
March (6–7) (Home: 3–3; Road: 3–3; Neutral: 0–1)
Game
Date
Time
Opponent
Score
Location
Attendance
Record
70
March 3, 1970
San Francisco
115–100
Madison Square Garden
55–15
71
March 6, 1970
San Diego
107–103
Madison Square Garden
56–15
72
March 7, 1970
@ Philadelphia
111–104
The Spectrum
57–15
73
March 8, 1970
Philadelphia
116–133
Madison Square Garden
57–16
74
March 10, 1970
Seattle
117–99
Madison Square Garden
58–16
75
March 13, 1970
vs. Seattle (at Portland , OR )
103–115
Memorial Coliseum
58–17
76
March 14, 1970
@ San Diego
119–103
San Diego Sports Arena
59–17
77
March 15, 1970
@ Los Angeles
101–106
The Forum
59–18
78
March 17, 1970
@ Detroit
122–106
Cobo Center
60–18
79
March 18, 1970
Milwaukee
108–116
Madison Square Garden
60–19
80
March 20, 1970
@ Atlanta
102–110
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
60–20
81
March 21, 1970
Cincinnati
120–136
Madison Square Garden
60–21
82
March 22, 1970
@ Boston
112–115
Boston Garden
60–22
1969–70 Schedule
All times are EASTERN time
1970 playoff game log
Division Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
Division Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
1970 schedule
Regular-season series
New York lost 2–4 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
293
282
130
694
Hawks
6
293
279
122
680
Regular-season series
New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
254
127
710
Bullets
6
288
236
135
607
Regular-season series
New York lost 3–4 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
341
302
180
784
Celtics
7
341
281
192
754
Regular-season series
New York won 6–0 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
292
113
697
Bulls
6
288
223
156
602
Regular-season series
New York won 5–2 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
336
313
163
789
Royals
7
336
271
171
713
Regular-season series
New York won 6–1 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
336
317
162
796
Pistons
7
336
290
158
738
Regular-season series
New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
254
127
635
Lakers
6
288
236
135
607
Regular-season series
New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
277
100
654
Bucks
6
288
252
125
629
Regular-season series
New York won 5–2 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
336
309
178
789
76ers
7
336
294
163
751
Regular-season series
New York won 6–0 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
310
150
770
Suns
6
288
246
172
664
Regular-season series
New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
294
132
720
Rockets
6
288
232
200
664
Regular-season series
New York won 5–1 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
274
132
680
Warriors
6
288
228
144
600
Regular-season series
New York won 4–2 in the regular-season series
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
6
288
283
133
699
SuperSonics
6
288
240
173
653
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Opponents
82
19730
3308
2062
8682
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
346
307
137
746
Bullets
7
346
286
163
735
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
5
240
238
91
567
Bucks
5
240
208
99
515
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Knicks
7
346
332
122
786
Lakers
7
346
302
176
780
Team
Games Played
Minutes Played
Field Goals
Free Throws
Rebounds
Assists
Points
Opponents
19
922
796
438
2030
Date
Opponent
Channel
October 15, 1969
@ Cincinnati
WOR-TV
October 17, 1969
@ Chicago
WOR-TV
October 24, 1969
@ Detroit
WOR-TV
November 3, 1969
@ Milwaukee
WOR-TV
November 26, 1969
@ Atlanta
WOR-TV
December 5, 1969
@ Baltimore
WOR-TV
December 10, 1969
@ Milwaukee
WOR-TV
January 6, 1970
@ Baltimore
WOR-TV
February 4, 1970
@ Atlanta
WOR-TV
March 20, 1970
@ Atlanta
WOR-TV
March 27, 1970
@ Baltimore
WOR-TV
March 31, 1970
@ Baltimore
WOR-TV
April 17, 1970
@ Milwaukee
WOR-TV
Some New York Knicks TV Games never aired on WOR-TV because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL ).
Date
Opponent
Cable TV
October 14, 1969
Seattle
Manhattan Cable Television
October 18, 1969
Los Angeles
Manhattan Cable Television
October 21, 1969
Phoenix
Manhattan Cable Television
October 23, 1969
San Francisco
Manhattan Cable Television
October 25, 1969
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
October 28, 1969
Atlanta
Manhattan Cable Television
October 30, 1969
San Diego
Manhattan Cable Television
November 1, 1969
Milwaukee
Manhattan Cable Television
November 22, 1969
Phoenix
Manhattan Cable Television
December 6, 1969
Milwaukee
Manhattan Cable Television
December 16, 1969
Atlanta
Manhattan Cable Television
December 20, 1969
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
February 21, 1970
Atlanta
Manhattan Cable Television
February 24, 1970
Phoenix
Manhattan Cable Television
February 28, 1970
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
March 18, 1970
Milwaukee
Manhattan Cable Television
March 26, 1970
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
April 2, 1970
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
April 6, 1970
Baltimore
Manhattan Cable Television
April 13, 1970
Milwaukee
Manhattan Cable Television
April 20, 1970
Milwaukee
Manhattan Cable Television
Date
Opponent
Network
Play-by-play
Color analyst
January 2, 1970
@ Milwaukee
ABC
February 22, 1970
@ Baltimore
ABC
March 29, 1970
Baltimore
ABC
April 5, 1970
@ Baltimore
ABC
April 11, 1970
Milwaukee
ABC
April 19, 1970
@ Milwaukee
ABC
April 24, 1970
Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
April 27, 1970
Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
April 29, 1970
@ Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
May 1, 1970
@ Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
May 4, 1970
Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
May 6, 1970
@ Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
May 8, 1970
Los Angeles
ABC
Chris Schenkel
Jack Twyman
Date
Opponent
Flagship station
October 14, 1969
Seattle
WHN
October 17, 1969
@ Chicago
WHN
October 18, 1969
Los Angeles
WHN
October 21, 1969
Phoenix
WHN
October 23, 1969
San Francisco
WHN
October 24, 1969
@ Detroit
WHN
October 25, 1969
Baltimore
WHN
October 28, 1969
Atlanta
WHN
October 30, 1969
San Diego
WHN
November 1, 1969
Milwaukee
WHN
November 3, 1969
@ Milwaukee
WHN
December 5, 1969
@ Baltimore
WHN
December 6, 1969
Milwaukee
WHN
December 16, 1969
Atlanta
WHN
December 20, 1969
Baltimore
WHN
January 2, 1970
@ Milwaukee
WHN
January 6, 1970
@ Baltimore
WHN
February 21, 1970
Atlanta
WHN
February 22, 1970
@ Baltimore
WHN
February 28, 1970
Baltimore
WHN
March 18, 1970
Milwaukee
WHN
March 20, 1970
@ Atlanta
WHN
March 26, 1970
Baltimore
WHN
March 27, 1970
@ Baltimore
WHN
March 29, 1970
Baltimore
WHN
March 31, 1970
@ Baltimore
WHN
April 2, 1970
Baltimore
WHN
April 6, 1970
Baltimore
WHN
April 11, 1970
Milwaukee
WHN
April 13, 1970
Milwaukee
WHN
April 17, 1970
@ Milwaukee
WHN
April 19, 1970
@ Milwaukee
WHN
April 20, 1970
Milwaukee
WHN
April 24, 1970
Los Angeles
WHN
April 27, 1970
Los Angeles
WHN
April 29, 1970
@ Los Angeles
WHN
May 1, 1970
@ Los Angeles
WHN
May 4, 1970
Los Angeles
WHN
May 6, 1970
@ Los Angeles
WHN
May 8, 1970
Los Angeles
WHN
Some New York Knicks radio games never aired on WHN because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL ).
Public Address Announcer [ edit ]
Madison Square Garden PA Announcer
John Condon
Transactions listed are from July 1, 1969, to June 30, 1970.
1970 NBA Expansion Draft [ edit ]
20th NBA All-Star Game [ edit ]
New York Knicks NBA All-Star representatives at the 1970 NBA All-Star Game in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania at The Spectrum .
Without question, the defining moment in the series occurred in Game 7, where an injured Reed limped onto the court right before the start of the game.
On a re-creation of that moment, Marv Albert described it: "Here comes Willis! The crowd is going wild! Willis passes the scorers table, he grabs a basketball. The Lakers have stopped (shooting), the Lakers are watching Willis!"
He scored the game's first two baskets and proceeded not to score for the remainder of the game. Contrary to popular lore, he did not sit out after his first two baskets, but remained on the floor for 27 minutes. Despite his lack of scoring after his first four points, Reed's heroics inspired the team, and they won the game by a score of 113–99. The entire starting line up for the 69–70 Knicks had their jerseys retired by the New York Knicks. The jerseys of Walt Frazier (#10), Willis Reed (#19), Dave DeBusschere (#22), Bill Bradley (#24), and Dick Barnett (#12) all hang from the rafters at Madison Square Garden . Reed walking on to the court was voted the greatest moment in Madison Square Garden history.
Game
Date
Result
Site
Series
Game 1
April 24 (Fri.)
New York Knicks 124, Los Angeles Lakers 112
@ New York
Knicks lead, 1 game to 0
Game 2
April 27 (Mon.)
Los Angeles Lakes 105, New York Knicks 103
@ New York
Series tied, 1 game each
Game 3
April 29 (Wed.)
New York Knicks 111, Los Angeles Lakers 108
@ Los Angeles
Knicks lead, 2 games to 1
Game 4
May 1 (Fri.)
Los Angeles Lakers 121, New York Knicks 105
@ Los Angeles
Series tied, 2 games each
Game 5
May 4 (Mon.)
New York Knicks 107, Los Angeles Lakers 100
@ New York
Knicks lead, 3 games to 2
Game 6
May 6 (Wed.)
Los Angeles Lakers 135, New York Knicks 113
@ Los Angeles
Series tied, 3 games each
Game 7
May 8 (Fri.)
New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99
@ New York
Knicks win, 4 games to 3
Knicks win series 4–3
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s