The Dream That Never Sleeps

Graphic by Andy Rodriguez. Source image from Nathan Denette.

Two weeks ago, nobody thought the New York Knicks could get through the Celtics. Boston was coming off a dominant 4-1 win in the series against the Orlando Magic. More importantly, they were the defending champs. They finished the regular season with 61 wins and 21 losses, which was far ahead of the 51 wins the Knicks managed. To make matters even worse, they faced each other four times in the regular season, and the Celtics won all four of those encounters.

Somehow, the impossible became possible. For the first time in 25 years, the New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF). This drought that has plagued New York lasted so long that Jalen Brunson’s father was on the Knicks roster when they were last in the ECF. How did this spectacle come to fruition?

“NO QUIT IN NEW YORK”

Although the phrase is associated with the New York Rangers, it seems as though the Knicks took on their Madison Square Garden counterparts' mantra. In Game 1 of the series, the Celtics were 20 points ahead in the third quarter. It seemed as though the critics were right in saying that the Knicks would be outclassed in this matchup. Yet it was the New York Knicks who were victorious at the final buzzer, miraculously overcoming the large deficit on Boston’s home turf. It was the largest blown lead by the Celtics in playoff history, beating the previous record of blowing an 18-point lead against the 76ers in 2012. Despite the remarkable comeback, the media viewed this as a one-time fluke, with the Celtics remaining the favorites to make the ECF.

Only two days later, in Game 2, it happened again! The Celtics held a 20-point lead in the third quarter, but the Knicks, focused and undeterred, staged another fierce comeback to take the win. Although all the data indicated that a comeback was virtually impossible, the numbers could not account for New York’s tenacity.

The New York Knicks were given less than a 2% chance to win Game 1 and Game 2 when trailing by 20 points, yet they managed to beat the odds both times.

The two gritty performances by the Knickerbockers paid off and provided them a 2-0 lead in the series, with the next two games slated to take place back in The Mecca. Those games were split, with each team taking a win. Boston managed to force Game 6, but they would have to go back to the Garden and face a New York team that was determined to finish what they started. This time, it wasn’t even close.

Game 6 ended with a 119-81 win for the Knicks, with New York leading by as much as 41 points during the game. This performance is now tied for third in the biggest playoff losses for the Celtics, equaling their defeat against the Mavericks in Game 4 of last year’s Finals. On the flip side, the 38-point win was the biggest playoff win in Knicks history, beating their previous best of 36 that came against the Milwaukee Bucks in 1970. The win was so monumental that, with the Knicks holding an overwhelming lead, fans had already begun celebrating outside the Garden before the fourth quarter even started.

These were the scenes outside Madison Square Garden as the Knicks were poised to beat the Celtics in Game 6.

FAMILIAR FOE

The job is far from over for New York. To reach the NBA Finals, the Knicks must first get through the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have been dominant in the postseason, disposing of both the Bucks and the Cavs with 4-1 series victories. On paper, the Knicks have the edge, having beaten the Pacers in two of their three regular-season matchups. Nonetheless, the Knicks know all too well how tough the Pacers can be in the playoffs, as it was Indiana that eliminated them last year. The Knicks were up 3-2 in the series, including a 30-point win in game 5. Yet the Pacers fought back to win Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, advancing to the ECF. This time, though, the winner will advance to the NBA Finals, truly elevating what’s at stake.

To make this matchup even more significant, neither team has reached the Finals in over 25 years. The last time the Pacers made it to the Finals was in 2000, where they beat none other than the Knicks in the ECF. The year prior, the result was flipped, as the Knicks were the ones in the Finals after beating the Pacers in the ECF. The Knicks haven’t made it back to the Finals since then. This marks their fourth meeting in the ECF, with the Knicks prevailing in the 1994 series to advance to the Finals.

Graphic by Andy Rodriguez

WHAT IF?

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but do the Knicks have a genuine shot at winning the championship? To do so, they’ll have to avoid history repeating itself. Although the Knicks have beaten the Pacers twice in the ECF before, both seasons ended in disappointment in the NBA Finals. In 1999, they lost 4-1 to the Spurs, and in 1994, they blew a 3-2 lead against the Rockets.

This time around, if they do manage to advance to the Finals, they’ll face off against the winner of the Timberwolves or the Thunder. If the Minnesota Timberwolves were to advance, it would bring a familiar narrative to New York, as it would echo last year’s WNBA Finals, where the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx to claim their first-ever championship. While a Knicks victory would mark their third title, for many younger fans, it would almost feel like their first. The last time the Knicks won the NBA Finals was in 1973. Although much has changed in 52 years, the dream of a championship has remained constant. Could this year prove to be the one New Yorkers have been longing for? Or will they be forced to continue their long quest for a championship?

It all starts tonight at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.