From Patrick Ewing to Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' Finals run connects two eras
Key takeaways
- NEARLY THREE DECADES later, Patrick Ewing's pain is fresh as he reminisces about the last time the New York Knicks were in the NBA Finals.
- In 1999, the upstart Knicks became the first 8-seed ever to reach the Finals, but they were no match for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Ewing's wound of losing his second and last Finals appearance has yet to heal.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
NEARLY THREE DECADES later, Patrick Ewing's pain is fresh as he reminisces about the last time the New York Knicks were in the NBA Finals.
In 1999, the upstart Knicks became the first 8-seed ever to reach the Finals, but they were no match for the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Duncan was just starting his legendary Spurs run of five titles in 16 seasons, and center David Robinson was still at an All-Star level. A helpless Ewing could only watch from the sidelines with a torn Achilles suffered in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Without their franchise big man, the undersized Knicks were dismissed in five games.
Ewing's wound of losing his second and last Finals appearance has yet to heal.