1993–94 New York Knicks season

The 1993–94 NBA season was the 48th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association in New York City.[1] This marked the last season in which the Knicks (and all other MSG properties) were owned by Paramount Communications (formerly Gulf+Western), which was sold near the end of the season to Viacom, which in turn sold them to ITT Corporation and Cablevision. A couple of years later, ITT would sell their share to Cablevision. The Knicks' current owner, The Madison Square Garden Company, is a spin-off of Cablevision.[2][3][4]

1993–94 New York Knicks season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPat Riley
General managerErnie Grunfeld
OwnersParamount Communications, Inc. (through March 10, 1994)
Viacom (starting on March 11, 1994)
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Results
Record57–25 (.695)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Rockets 3–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionMSG Network
RadioWFAN
< 1992–93 1994–95 >

During the off-season, the Knicks signed free agent Anthony Bonner.[5][6] The team got off to a fast start winning their first seven games. However, they would lose Doc Rivers for the remainder of the season to a knee injury after just 19 games,[7][8][9] while Charles D. Smith and second-year guard Hubert Davis also missed parts of the season with injuries. At midseason, the Knicks traded Tony Campbell to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Derek Harper to fill in the void left by Rivers.[10][11][12] Despite the injuries, the Knicks had another successful season holding a 34–14 record at the All-Star break,[13] and then posting a 15-game winning streak late in the season, including a 14–0 record in March,[14] finishing first place in the Atlantic Division with a 57–25 record.[15] The Knicks earned the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Patrick Ewing had a stellar season averaging 24.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, and finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[16][17] but was not selected to an All-NBA Team at season's end. In addition, John Starks averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game, but only played 59 games due to a knee injury, which forced him to miss the rest of the regular season,[18][19][20] while Charles Oakley provided the team with 11.8 points and rebounds per game each, contributed 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Davis contributed 11.0 points per game, while Smith provided with 10.4 points per game, and sixth man Anthony Mason averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game off the bench.[21] Ewing, Starks and Oakley were all selected for the 1994 NBA All-Star Game.[22][23][24][25][26]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the New Jersey Nets in four games.[27][28][29][30] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they faced the Chicago Bulls for the fourth straight year. Michael Jordan had retired prior to the season to pursue a baseball career, and the team was now led by Scottie Pippen.[31][32][33][34][35] The Knicks would defeat the Bulls in a full seven game series to advance to the Eastern Conference finals,[36][37][38][39] where they trailed 3–2 to Reggie Miller and the 5th-seeded Indiana Pacers,[40][41][42] but managed to defeat them in another full seven game series.[43][44][45][46] The Knicks advanced to the 1994 NBA Finals, and took a 3–2 series lead over regular season MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets,[47][48][49] but lost the next two games, thus losing the series in seven games.[50][51][52][53][54][55]

In the 1994 playoffs, the Knicks set the record for most games allowing under 95[56] and under 100 points[57] in one playoff run. Opponents were held to under 95 and 100 points in 23 and 24 games, respectively. Following the season, Rolando Blackman was released to free agency.[58]

Draft picks

The Knicks had no draft picks in 1993.

Roster

1993–94 New York Knicks roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F42Anderson, Eric6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1970–05–26Indiana
G50Anthony, Greg6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)176 lb (80 kg)1967–11–15UNLV
G20Blackman, Rolando6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg)1959–02–26Kansas State
F4Bonner, Anthony6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)1968–06–08Saint Louis
G44Davis, Hubert6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)183 lb (83 kg)1970–05–17North Carolina
C33Ewing, Patrick (C)7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)240 lb (109 kg)1962–08–05Georgetown
G7Gaines, Corey6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg)1965–06–01Loyola Marymount
G11Harper, Derek6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1961–10–13Illinois
F14Mason, Anthony6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)250 lb (113 kg)1966–12–14Tennessee State
F34Oakley, Charles6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)225 lb (102 kg)1963–12–18Virginia Union
G25Rivers, Doc  6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg)1961–10–13Marquette
F54Smith, Charles6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1965–07–16Pittsburgh
G3Starks, John6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)180 lb (82 kg)1965–08–10Oklahoma State
C32Williams, Herb6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)242 lb (110 kg)1958–02–16Ohio State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 20, 1994

Pre season

Game log

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-New York Knicks5725.69532–925–1618–10
x-Orlando Magic5032.610731–1019–2220–8
x-New Jersey Nets4537.5491229–1216–2517–11
x-Miami Heat4240.5121522–1920–2116–12
Boston Celtics3250.3902518–2314–2712–16
Philadelphia 76ers2557.3053215–2610–317–21
Washington Bullets2458.2933317–247–348–20

[59]

#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Atlanta Hawks5725.695
2y-New York Knicks5725.695
3x-Chicago Bulls5527.6712
4x-Orlando Magic5032.6107
5x-Indiana Pacers4735.57310
6x-Cleveland Cavaliers4735.57310
7x-New Jersey Nets4537.54912
8x-Miami Heat4240.51215
9Charlotte Hornets4141.50016
10Boston Celtics3250.39025
11Philadelphia 76ers2557.30532
12Washington Bullets2458.29333
13tMilwaukee Bucks2062.24437
13tDetroit Pistons2062.24437
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1993–94 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta4–04–12–33–12–01–14–00–21–13–21–11–13–15–02–01–32–23–14–01–11–12–01–11–11–14–0
Boston0–40–42–21–32–01–13–11–11–10–41–11–12–33–11–11–40–42–24–11–11–11–10–20–20–23–2
Charlotte1–44–01–41–41–11–14–00–21–12–21–12–01–33–22–02–23–12–23–12–00–21–10–20–21–12–2
Chicago3–22–24–11–32–01–15–02–01–14–12–01–12–24–02–03–11–32–23–11–10–21–11–11–12–04–0
Cleveland1–33–14–13–12–01–13–22–00–22–32–01–11–33–22–02–20–42–24–00–22–02–00–21–11–13–1
Dallas0–20–21–10–20–21–41–10–41–40–20–40–40–20–25–10–20–20–20–20–41–32–20–50–40–51–1
Denver1–11–11–11–11–14–12–01–33–21–13–13–11–12–04–11–11–11–10–21–31–32–22–42–21–41–1
Detroit0–41–30–40–52–31–10–20–20–21–41–10–22–21–42–01–30–41–31–31–10–21–11–11–10–22–2
Golden State2–01–12–00–20–24–03–12–00–41–14–15–02–02–02–20–21–11–11–12–33–24–12–21–43–12–0
Houston1–11–11–11–12–04–12–32–04–01–14–03–12–01–14–12–02–01–12–02–24–04–02–32–23–31–1
Indiana2–34–02–21–43–22–01–14–11–11–12–00–23–13–12–03–10–42–22–21–11–12–00–21–11–13–1
L.A. Clippers1–11–11–10–20–24–01–31–11–40–40–22–31–11–11–31–10–21–11–10–52–33–21–31–41–31–1
L.A. Lakers1–11–10–21–11–14–01–32–00–51–32–03–21–12–03–10–20–22–01–13–20–51–40–40–52–21–1
Miami1–33–23–12–23–12–01–12–20–20–21–31–11–14–02–02–32–22–34–10–20–21–10–21–11–13–1
Milwaukee0–51–32–30–42–32–00–24–10–21–11–31–10–20–40–21–30–41–31–30–21–11–10–20–20–21–3
Minnesota0–21–10–20–20–21–51–40–22–21–40–23–11–30–22–01–10–21–12–00–40–42–21–40–41–40–2
New Jersey3–14–12–21–32–22–01–13–12–00–21–31–12–03–23–11–14–10–53–10–20–21–11–11–11–13–1
New York2–24–01–33–14–02–01–14–01–10–24–02–02–02–24–02–01–43–23–21–12–02–01–11–10–25–0
Orlando1–32–22–22–22–22–01–13–11–11–12–21–10–23–23–11–15–02–34–01–12–02–00–21–12–04–1
Philadelphia0–41–41–31–30–42–02–03–11–10–22–21–11–11–43–10–21–32–30–40–20–20–20–20–21–12–3
Phoenix1–11–10–21–12–04–03–11–13–22–21–15–02–32–02–04–02–01–11–12–03–24–13–12–32–22–0
Portland1–11–12–02–00–23–13–12–02–30–41–13–25–02–01–14–02–00–20–22–02–34–11–31–41–32–0
Sacramento0–21–11–11–10–22–22–21–11–40–40–22–34–11–11–12–21–10–20–22–01–41–41–30–51–32–0
San Antonio1–12–02–01–12–05–04–21–12–23–22–03–14–02–02–04–11–11–12–02–01–33–13–10–40–52–0
Seattle1–12–02–01–11–14–02–21–14–12–21–14–15–01–12–04–01–11–11–12–03–24–15–04–03–12–0
Utah1–12–01–10–21–15–04–12–01–33–31–13–12–21–12–04–11–12–00–21–12–23–13–15–01–32–0
Washington0–42–32–20–41–31–11–12–20–21–11–31–11–11–33–12–01–30–51–43–20–20–20–20–20–20–2

Game log

Regular season

1993–94 game log
Total: 57–25 (home: 32–9; road: 25–16)
November: 9–2 (home: 4–1; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1November 5, 1993@ BostonW 111–108Boston Garden1–0
2November 7, 1993@ ClevelandW 115–107 (OT)Richfield Coliseum2–0
3November 9, 1993PhiladelphiaW 95–86Madison Square Garden3–0
4November 10, 1993@ WashingtonW 92–84USAir Arena4–0
5November 12, 1993@ IndianaW 103–84Market Square Arena5–0
6November 13, 1993MilwaukeeW 99–86Madison Square Garden6–0
7November 16, 1993@ DallasW 103–90Reunion Arena7–0
8November 17, 1993@ San AntonioL 90–95Alamodome7–1
9November 20, 1993UtahL 72–86Madison Square Garden7–2
10November 22, 1993MiamiW 119–87Madison Square Garden8–2
11November 27, 1993DetroitW 112–85Madison Square Garden9–2
December: 9–5 (home: 7–2; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
12December 2, 1993HoustonL 85–94Madison Square Garden9–3
13December 4, 1993SacramentoW 123–101Madison Square Garden10–3
14December 6, 1993@ UtahL 96–103Delta Center10–4
15December 7, 1993@ L.A. LakersW 92–78Great Western Forum11–4
16December 9, 1993@ Golden StateW 94–81Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena12–4
17December 11, 1993IndianaW 98–91Madison Square Garden13–4
18December 14, 1993DenverW 93–84Madison Square Garden14–4
19December 16, 1993L.A. LakersW 108–85Madison Square Garden15–4
20December 17, 1993@ ChicagoL 86–98Chicago Stadium15–5
21December 20, 1993DallasW 101–92Madison Square Garden16–5
22December 21, 1993@ New JerseyL 81–85Brendan Byrne Arena16–6
23December 23, 1993AtlantaW 84–75Madison Square Garden17–6
24December 28, 1993New JerseyL 95–97Madison Square Garden17–7
25December 30, 1993WashingtonW 102–84Madison Square Garden18–7
January: 12–4 (home: 7–2; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
26January 2, 1994CharlotteL 123–124 (OT)Madison Square Garden18–8
27January 4, 1994OrlandoW 100–95Madison Square Garden19–8
28January 6, 1994@ MilwaukeeW 92–86Bradley Center19–9
29January 8, 1994@ CharlotteL 99–102Charlotte Coliseum20–9
30January 9, 1994PortlandW 99–85Madison Square Garden21–9
31January 11, 1994L.A. ClippersW 98–77Madison Square Garden22–9
32January 13, 1994@ DetroitW 94–80The Palace of Auburn Hills23–9
33January 15, 1994DetroitW 97–88Madison Square Garden24–9
34January 17, 1994MinnesotaW 106–94Madison Square Garden25–9
35January 19, 1994San AntonioW 120–108Madison Square Garden26–9
36January 21, 1994@ OrlandoL 103–106Orlando Arena26–10
37January 23, 1994PhiladelphiaL 92–99Madison Square Garden26–11
38January 25, 1994PhoenixW 98–96Madison Square Garden27–11
39January 27, 1994@ L.A. ClippersW 103–102Aarowhead Pond of Anaheim28–11
40January 29, 1994@ SeattleW 106–92Seattle Center Coliseum29–11
41January 30, 1994@ PortlandW 103–93Memorial Coliseum30–11
February: 6–8 (home: 3–2; road: 3–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
42February 1, 1994BostonW 114–79Madison Square Garden31–11
43February 2, 1994@ WashingtonW 85–80USAir Arena32–11
44February 4, 1994@ AtlantaL 102–114The Omni32–12
45February 6, 1994OrlandoW 95–77Madison Square Garden33–12
46February 7, 1994@ MiamiL 85–96Miami Arena33–13
47February 9, 1994@ PhiladelphiaW 114–79The Spectrum34–13
48February 10, 1994Golden StateL 105–113Madison Square Garden34–14
All-Star Break
49February 15, 1994@ New JerseyL 83–103Brendan Byrne Arena34–15
50February 17, 1994@ ClevelandW 102–95Richfield Coliseum35–15
51February 20, 1994ChicagoW 86–68Madison Square Garden36–15
52February 22, 1994SeattleL 82–93Madison Square Garden36–16
53February 24, 1994@ HoustonL 73–93The Summit36–17
54February 25, 1994@ DenverL 94–102McNichols Sports Arena36–18
55February 27, 1994@ PhoenixL 78–92America West Arena36–19
March: 14–0 (home: 7–0; road: 7–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
56March 1, 1994@ SacramentoW 100–88ARCO Arena37–19
57March 3, 1994New JerseyW 97–86Madison Square Garden38–19
58March 7, 1994@ DetroitW 99–85The Palace of Auburn Hills39–19
59March 9, 1994@ AtlantaW 90–83The Omni40–19
60March 11, 1994@ BostonW 90–83Boston Garden41–19
61March 12, 1994ClevelandW 96–86Madison Square Garden42–19
62March 15, 1994IndianaW 88–82Madison Square Garden43–19
63March 17, 1994MilwaukeeW 105–83Madison Square Garden44–19
64March 19, 1994BostonW 105–91Madison Square Garden45–19
65March 22, 1994ChicagoW 87–78Madison Square Garden46–19
66March 24, 1994@ MinnesotaW 123–106Madison Square Garden47–19
67March 25, 1994@ IndianaW 85–82Market Square Arena48–19
68March 27, 1994@ OrlandoW 111–90Orlando Arena49–19
69March 29, 1994CharlotteW 106–95Madison Square Garden50–19
April: 7–6 (home: 4–2; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
70April 2, 1994MiamiW 110–87Madison Square Garden51–19
71April 5, 1994@ MiamiL 86–100Miami Arena51–20
72April 7, 1994ClevelandW 97–94 (OT)Madison Square Garden52–20
73April 8, 1994@ PhiladelphiaL 97–100The Spectrum52–21
74April 10, 1994@ New JerseyL 88–107Brendan Byrne Arena52–22
75April 11, 1994OrlandoL 100–108Madison Square Garden52–23
76April 14, 1994@ WashingtonW 111–106USAir Arena53–23
77April 15, 1994WashingtonW 103–90Madison Square Garden54–23
78April 17, 1994@ CharlotteL 91–107Charlotte Coliseum54–24
79April 19, 1994AtlantaL 84–87Madison Square Garden54–25
80April 21, 1994PhiladelphiaW 130–82Madison Square Garden55–25
81April 22, 1994@ MilwaukeeW 125–85Bradley Center56–25
82April 24, 1994@ ChicagoW 92–76Chicago Stadium57–25
1993–94 schedule

Playoffs

1994 playoff game log
First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 29, 1994New JerseyW 91–80Patrick Ewing (25)Patrick Ewing (13)Patrick Ewing (5)Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–0
2May 1, 1994New JerseyW 90–81Charles Oakley (25)Charles Oakley (24)Derek Harper (8)Madison Square Garden
19,763
2–0
3May 4, 1994@ New JerseyL 92–93 (OT)Patrick Ewing (27)Charles Oakley (16)Harper, Davis (4)Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049
2–1
4May 6, 1994@ New JerseyW 102–92Patrick Ewing (36)Patrick Ewing (14)Oakley, Starks (4)Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049
3–1
Conference semifinals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 8, 1994ChicagoW 90–86Patrick Ewing (18)Patrick Ewing (12)three players tied (3)Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–0
2May 11, 1994ChicagoW 96–91Patrick Ewing (26)Anthony Mason (14)Anthony Mason (6)Madison Square Garden
19,763
2–0
3May 13, 1994@ ChicagoL 102–104Patrick Ewing (34)Ewing, Oakley (9)John Starks (6)Chicago Stadium
18,676
2–1
4May 15, 1994@ ChicagoL 83–95Patrick Ewing (18)Charles Oakley (17)Anthony, Starks (6)Chicago Stadium
18,676
2–2
5May 18, 1994ChicagoW 87–86Patrick Ewing (20)Patrick Ewing (13)Greg Anthony (8)Madison Square Garden
19,763
3–2
6May 20, 1994@ ChicagoL 79–93Patrick Ewing (26)Patrick Ewing (14)John Starks (7)Chicago Stadium
18,676
3–3
7May 22, 1994ChicagoW 87–77Patrick Ewing (18)Charles Oakley (20)Patrick Ewing (6)Madison Square Garden
19,763
4–3
Conference finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
NBA Finals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1June 8, 1994@ HoustonL 78–85Patrick Ewing (23)Charles Oakley (14)Derek Harper (5)The Summit
16,611
0–1
2June 10, 1994@ HoustonW 91–83John Starks (19)Patrick Ewing (13)John Starks (9)The Summit
16,611
1–1
3June 12, 1994HoustonL 89–93Derek Harper (21)Patrick Ewing (13)John Starks (9)Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–2
4June 15, 1994HoustonW 91–82Derek Harper (21)Charles Oakley (20)Derek Harper (5)Madison Square Garden
19,763
2–2
5June 17, 1994HoustonW 91–84Patrick Ewing (25)Patrick Ewing (22)Derek Harper (7)Madison Square Garden
19,763
3–2
6June 19, 1994@ HoustonL 84–86John Starks (27)Patrick Ewing (15)Derek Harper (10)The Summit
16,611
3–3
7June 22, 1994@ HoustonL 84–90Derek Harper (23)Charles Oakley (14)Derek Harper (5)The Summit
16,611
3–4
1994 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

NOTE: Please write players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Eric Anderson1.9
Greg Anthony7.9
Rolando Blackman7.3
Anthony Bonner5.1
Tony Campbell7.1
Hubert Davis11.0
Patrick Ewing24.5
Corey Gaines1.8
Derek Harper8.6
Anthony Mason7.2
Charles Oakley11.8
Gerald Paddio1.3
Doc Rivers7.5
Charles D. Smith10.4
John Starks19.0
Herb Williams3.3

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Greg Anthony4.9
Rolando Blackman1.3
Anthony Bonner2.1
Hubert Davis5.1
Patrick Ewing21.9
Corey Gaines0.0
Derek Harper11.4
Anthony Mason7.6
Charles Oakley13.2
Charles D. Smith8.8
John Starks14.6
Herb Williams1.5

Media

Television

ChannelPlay-by-playAlternate Play-by-playColor commentatorStudio hostAlternate Studio host
MSG NetworkMarv AlbertAl TrautwigJohn AndarieseAl TrautwigBruce Beck

Some New York Knicks TV games carried on MSG 2 because of broadcast conflict with the New York Rangers (NHL).

Radio

ChannelPlay-by-playAlternate Play-by-playColor commentatorStudio HostAlternate Studio Host
WFANMike BreenJohn MinkoWalt FrazierJohn MinkoSteve Somers

Some New York Knicks radio games carried on WEVD because of broadcast conflict with the New York Jets (NFL) and the New York Rangers (NHL).

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

January 6, 1994To New York Knicks
Derek Harper
To Dallas Mavericks
Tony Campbell
1997 1st-round pick

Free agents

Additions
PlayerDate signedFormer team
Anthony BonnerOctober 5Sacramento Kings
Corey GainesDecember 18La Crosse Catbirds (CBA)
Gerald PaddioJanuary 5Scavolini Pesaro (Italy)
Subtractions
PlayerDate signedNew team
Gerald PaddioJanuary 20Washington Bullets

Player Transactions Citation:[60]

See also

References