The New York Knicks ended a fifty-two year championship drought in 2026
In short: After decades of frustration, the New York Knicks finally reclaimed the NBA throne. This historic 2025–26 campaign saw the franchise navigate coaching changes, mid-season slumps, and a record-breaking postseason run to secure their third title and a unique double-trophy season.
The 2025–26 season marked the 80th year of the Knicks franchise and began with significant leadership changes. On June 3, 2025, the team dismissed head coach Tom Thibodeau after a five-season tenure, replacing him on July 7 with Mike Brown. This transition set the stage for a season defined by both volatility and unprecedented success.
The team's journey was not without turbulence. Between December 31 and January 19, the Knicks endured a difficult 2–9 stretch, including two separate four-game losing streaks. However, they rebounded to finish the regular season with a 53–29 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference and their fourth consecutive playoff berth.
The postseason saw the Knicks achieve several milestones. They secured a franchise-record 13 consecutive playoff wins, the second-longest single-postseason streak in NBA history, trailing only the 2016–17 Golden State Warriors. During this series, they achieved a landmark opening-round win against the Atlanta Hawks, establishing an NBA playoff record by leading by 47 points at halftime.
The season culminated in a championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs, a rematch of the 1999 Finals and the season's NBA Cup championship game. The Knicks secured the NBA championship in five games, marking the first time a squad won the NBA Cup, a playoff series, reached the Finals, and claimed the title in one season. This victory marked their first title since 1973 and their first championship where the opponent was not the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025–26 New York Knicks season
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