The Knicks and Celtics have met 14 times in the playoffs, with each winning seven series. There have been great moments for both franchises in a playoff rivalry dating back 62 years, including five straight postseason meetings in the 1950’s and three straight in the 1970’s. The winner of the series has gone on to win the NBA Championship four times (Knicks in 1973, Celtics in 1969, 1974 and 1984). The series has also featured numerous future Hall of Famers, including Bill Russell, Larry Bird and Bob Cousy for the Celtics, and Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe and Patrick Ewing for the Knicks. Here’s a recap:
2011 First RoundCeltics win, 4-0
1990 First RoundKnicks win, 3-2
After two blowout victories by the Celtics, the Knicks won Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden before Patrick Ewing led the way with 31 points and 10 assists in the 121-114 Knicks victory in the decisive Game 5 at Boston Garden.
1988 First RoundCeltics win, 3-1
1984 Conference SemisCeltics win, 4-3
The first playoff meeting in 10 years for the rivals lived up to its billing. Bernard King had 43 points for the Knicks in Game 4, to tie the series at 2-2, but Larry Bird was unstoppable. He had three 30-point games, including a triple-double (39 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists) in a 121-104 Game 7 win. The home team ended up winning every game, and the Celtics went on to win the NBA title.
1974 Conference Finals Celtics win, 4-1
1973 Conference FinalsKnicks win, 4-3
The second consecutive meeting between the teams in the conference finals ended like the first — with the Knicks winning the series, despite being a heavy underdog. After the Celtics trounced the Knicks in Game 1, the Knicks responded with three straight wins. But the Celtics won the next two to force a Game 7 in Boston, where Walt Frazier led five Knicks in double-figures with 25 and New York cruised to a 94-78 win before beating the Lakers in four games for their second NBA title.
1972 Conference FinalsKnicks win, 4-1
1969 Division FinalsCeltics win, 4-2
1967 Division SemifinalsCeltics win, 3-1
1955 Division SemifinalsCeltics win, 2-1
1954 Division round robinCeltics win, 2-0
1953 Division FinalsKnicks win, 3-1
1952 Division SemifinalsKnicks win, 2-1
1951 Division SemifinalsKnicks win, 2-0
In the first playoff meeting of many between the clubs, the Knicks swept Boston as Max Zaslofsky had 19 points in Game 1 before 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 11-of-12 from the line.