The Knicks have won 11 in a row, own the best point differential over that stretch (+262) and haven't lost in over a month.
The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999 and seeking their first NBA championship since 1973.
With their first title in 53 years potentially just four wins away, we look at five qualities that this year’s Knicks have in common with NBA champions of the past.
1. Entering NBA Finals on a hot streak
- Why this trait matters: In the current playoff format (since 2003), a team needs 12 wins to reach the NBA Finals and has up to 21 games to get there. While some teams endure long series in the journey, others have rolled through the early rounds and are rewarded with added rest and less attrition. New York is 12-2 in the 2026 Playoffs, racking up 11 straight wins after suffering back-to-back one-point losses in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks. The Knicks have had a full week off entering the Finals, where they will look to reignite their hot streak.
- This is similar to: Only four other teams have entered the Finals on an 11-game win streak or better: the 2017 Warriors (15 straight), the 1999 Spurs (12 straight), the 2001 Lakers (11 straight) and the 1989 Lakers (11 straight). The ’89 Lakers are the only team in that group to not win the NBA Finals.
2. Posting a historic point differential
- Why this trait matters: A dominant run through a team’s own conference has often been a precursor to Finals success. The Knicks won the Eastern Conference with a +271 point differential through 14 games (+19.4 per game), which is the highest point differential for any team entering the NBA Finals.
- This is similar to: Before the Knicks, the top five point differentials included four teams that went on to win the NBA championship: the 2017 Warriors (+196 in 12 games), the 1987 Lakers (+180 in 12 games), the ’85 Lakers (+177 in 13 games) and the ’16 Cavaliers (+177 in 14 games). The only team in the top five that didn’t win the title, the ’17 Cavaliers (+177 in 13 games), fell to the previous record holders in the Finals.
3. Reaching the Finals as a No. 3 seed
- Why this trait matters: Only two teams in NBA history have won the championship while seeded below the top 3: the 1969 Celtics (No. 4) and the ’95 Rockets (No. 6). Under the current 16-team playoff format (since 1984), a No. 3 seed has reached the Finals 10.7% of the time and won the championship 14.3% of the time. However, recent history has seen a higher level of success for No. 3 seeds in the Finals.
- This is similar to: Six of the last seven No. 3 seeds to reach the NBA Finals have gone on to win the title: the 2022 Warriors, 2021 Bucks, 2011 Mavs, 2007 Spurs, 2004 Pistons and 2002 Lakers. The only exception was the 2009 Magic, who lost to the No. 1 seed Lakers.
4. Shooting the lights out
- Why this trait matters: The axiom of“it’s a make-or-miss league” isn’t always true, but a key component to any NBA champion’s success is shooting a high percentage. The Knicks enter the Finals with an effective field goal percentage (which accounts for the added value of 3-point shots) of 59.2%, which is on pace to set a new playoff record if they can maintain that level over the course of the Finals.
- This is similar to: Only nine Finals teams have ever posted an EFG% of 55% or higher in a postseason. Six of those teams have gone on to win the championship: the 2024 Celtics (55.5%), ’23 Nuggets (55.7%), ’22 Warriors (56.1%), ’20 Lakers (56.1%), ’17 Warriors (56.7%) and 1985 Lakers (55.2%). However, the team with the highest mark, the 2017 Cavaliers (57.9%), fell to the 2017 Warriors in a hot-shooting championship series.
5. First-year head coach
- Why this trait matters: While some franchises have found extended success with longtime coaches — such as the Red Auerbach-led Celtics or the Gregg Popovich-led Spurs — other teams have used a new voice to break through and reach an NBA title. After three straight playoff runs without a Finals berth under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks parted with Thibodeau and hired former two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown to lead the 2025-26 team to the Finals.
- This is similar to: Brown is attempting to become the sixth coach since the NBA/ABA merger to win the championship in his first season with the team. He would join: Paul Westhead (1980 Lakers), Pat Riley (’82 Lakers), Steve Kerr (2015 Warriors), Tyronn Lue (2016 Cavaliers), and Nick Nurse (2019 Raptors).
