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NEW YORK KNICKS
New York Knicks

Flashback: What was happening the last time Knicks won NBA title in 1973?

Portrait of Scooby Axson Scooby Axson
USA TODAY
June 13, 2026Updated June 14, 2026, 6:10 a.m. ET

The New York Knicks brought cheer to long-suffering fans of the five boroughs by bringing home their first NBA championship since 1973 with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Finals.

The franchise's third title was perhaps their most unlikely, although they began the season with the fourth-best odds to win the championship after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals the year before.

Before tonight, the last time New York got to raise a banner in Madison Square Garden was after the night of May 10, 1973 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals (the game at The Forum in Inglewood, California started at 10:30 p.m. ET and was broadcast on ABC). Earl Monroe had 23 points, and Bill Bradley added 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the 102-93 victory, which gave New York a 4-1 series win over Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Relive Knicks’ glorious NBA title with our new book

Here are some other things that were going on in the United States on Thursday May 10, 1973:

  • No. 1 movie: "The Poseidon Adventure" starring Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine
  • No. 1 song: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
  • No. 1 album: "Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite," by Elvis Presley
  • The Chicago White Sox, at 17-6, had the best record in the major leagues. The White Sox would finish with a 77-85 record, fifth in the six-team AL West.
  • The Montreal Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 in Game 6 behind Yvan Cournoyer's goal and two assists to win the Stanley Cup.
  • Former U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell and former Secretary of Commerce Maurice Stans were indicted on conspiracy charges for their role in the Watergate scandal.
  • Gas was 39 cents a gallon
  • Median home cost was $32,500
  • Minimum wage: $1.60

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