1971–72 New York Knicks season
The 1971–72 New York Knicks season was the 26th season for the team in the National Basketball Association. The Knicks compiled a 48–34 record in the regular season to finish second in the Atlantic Division and earn a berth in the NBA Playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. New York had acquired Earl Monroe in a trade with the Baltimore Bullets in November 1971.
In the first round of the playoffs, New York faced the Baltimore Bullets, who had defeated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals the previous year. The Knicks won the series in six games and advanced to the conference finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics. With a 4–1 series victory, New York made the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons. In the Finals, the Knicks were opposed by the Los Angeles Lakers, whom they had beaten in the 1970 NBA Finals. After winning Game 1 of the Finals 114–92 in Los Angeles, the Knicks lost the next four games and the series. Willis Reed only played 11 games in the regular season and missed the entirety of the playoffs with a knee injury.Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 16 | Dean Meminger | G | United States | Marquette |
| 2 | 34 | Gregg Northington | F | United States | Alabama State |
| 3 | 50 | Kenny Mayfield | G | United States | Tuskegee |
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Playoffs
East Conference Semifinals
Baltimore Bullets vs. New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4–2
- Game 1 @ Baltimore: Baltimore 108, New York 105
- Game 2 @ New York: New York 110, Baltimore 88
- Game 3 @ Baltimore: Baltimore 104, New York 103
- Game 4 @ New York: New York 104, Baltimore 98
- Game 5 @ Baltimore: New York 106, Baltimore 82
- Game 6 @ New York: New York 107, Baltimore 101
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4–1
- Game 1 @ Boston: New York 116, Boston 94
- Game 2 @ New York: New York 106, Boston 105
- Game 3 @ Boston: Boston 115, New York 109
- Game 4 @ New York: New York 116, Boston 98
- Game 5 @ Boston: New York 111, Boston 103
NBA Finals
Lakers win series 4–1Awards and records
