Head coach Red Holzman Arena Madison Square Garden | General manager Red Holzman Record 48–34 (.585) | |
Place Division: 2nd (Atlantic)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern) Playoff finish NBA Finals
(Eliminated by Lakers 1–4) | ||
The 1971–72 New York Knicks season was the 26th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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.
Contents
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.
East Conference Semifinals
(C1) Baltimore Bullets vs. (A2) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4–2
East Conference Finals
(A1) Boston Celtics vs. (A2) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4–1
Lakers win series 4–1