1994–95 New York Knicks season


The 1994–95 New York Knicks season was the 49th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association. The Knicks entered the season as runner-ups of the 1994 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games. During the offseason, the Knicks acquired Doug Christie from the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Christie would play only twelve games because of an ankle injury. Early into the season, the team released Doc Rivers, who later signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks posted a 55–27 record in the Atlantic Division, and finished in second place, two games behind the Orlando Magic. By earning the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. Patrick Ewing was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game. John Starks led the league with 217 three-point field goals, and became the first player ever to reach up to 200 three-pointers in a single season. Power forward Anthony Mason was named Sixth Man of the Year.
In the first round of the 1995 NBA Playoffs, the Knicks defeated the 6th-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers three games to one, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Knicks lost Game 1 of their series to the Indiana Pacers, as Reggie Miller scored eight points in the final 18.7 seconds to bring the Pacers back from a six-point deficit. The Pacers gained a 3–1 series edge, before the Knicks won two straight games to force a seventh game at Madison Square Garden. With the Knicks down by two points in the final seconds, Ewing had a chance to send the game to overtime, but missed his driving layup attempt as the Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Following the season, Pat Riley quit as head coach to take over the coaching job with the Miami Heat, Greg Anthony left in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, and Anthony Bonner was released.

NBA Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
124Monty WilliamsSFUnited StatesNotre Dame
126Charlie WardPGUnited StatesFlorida State

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Playoffs

East First Round

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Knicks win series 3–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1978 Eastern Conference First Round

East Conference Semifinals

Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks: Pacers win series 4–3
Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Eastern Conference Finals

Awards and records

Trades

Free agents