Knicks fans will argue about anything, from the front office to the 15th man, but one thing is undeniable: 2025 was an unforgettable year for the Orange and Blue. All the wins, heartbreaks, awards, drama, and breakthroughs combined into an emotional experience of a lifetime, deepening our fandom and creating lasting memories.
In most other Knicks years, moments like Randle’s MSG return and Mikal’s game-winner in Portland would make a top-five list. But 2025 raised the standard entirely.
Without further ado, let the countdown begin:
#5: Knicks Blow Lead to Pacers in ECF Game 1
May 21. Decades from now, Knicks fans will be asking each other: “Where were you when the Knicks choked Game 1 against the Pacers?” That’s the level of agony shared among us all that night.
From the 14-point lead with 2:51 left, to Aaron Nesmith’s three-point barrage, to Tyrese Haliburton channeling his inner Reggie Miller, a new chapter was written in the New York–Indiana basketball rivalry.
#4: Knicks Fire Thibs, Start Head Coach Search Saga
June 3. It may seem like the obvious right move now, but the Knicks shook the NBA world when they fired Tom Thibodeau, who led New York to four postseason trips in five seasons.
The search for their next head coach included denied requests to interview Jason Kidd and Billy Donovan, sparking even more national criticism. Legitimate candidates like Taylor Jenkins and James Borrego eventually emerged, and don’t forget who reported on the Knicks’ interview with Dawn Staley first!
July 7. Mike Brown was hired, tasked with revamping the offense and leveraging the roster’s new depth to lead an organization “singularly focused on winning a championship.”
Relive the Thibs Firing:
Reactions to the Mike Brown Hiring:
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#3: Knicks Win the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup
December 16. Banner or no banner, the New York Knicks secured their first trophy since 1973 in this year’s NBA Cup in Las Vegas, a meaningful checkpoint on their road to an NBA championship next June.
In a 48-minute thriller against the young, athletic San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks completed a late comeback thanks to Brunson’s brilliance, OG’s two-way terror, Mitch’s dominance on the boards, and a breakout performance by Tyler Kolek.
#2: Jalen Brunson Wins Clutch Player of the Year, Hits Series-Winning Three vs. Pistons a Week Later
April 23. Would you have believed anyone if they told you in 2022 that New York’s new ‘overpaid’ point guard would become an opposing team’s worst nightmare in a close game?
Jalen Brunson followed up a superheroic 2023-24 campaign with a more impactful one, averaging an NBA-high 5.6 clutch points on 51.5% shooting to win the 2025 Clutch Player of the Year award.
May 1. In an epic Game 6 of a grueling first-round series against the Detroit Pistons, Captain Clutch crossed up Ausar Thompson and hit a three to give the Knicks a lead with 4.3 seconds left. It was the pinnacle of a 40-point playoff performance, one of his franchise-leading eight, in front of a Detroit crowd that cussed him out for three games.
#1: Knicks Stomp Celtics, Advance to First ECF Since 2000!
May 16. The 2024-25 Knicks were winless in the regular season against the league’s top-three teams (Cavs, Celtics, and Thunder), causing widespread panic and pessimism as the team entered a highly anticipated second-round matchup. But the playoffs are a different animal.
Back-to-back 20-point road comebacks. Wingstop unleashed. Captain Clutch came through. Josh Hart’s bloody face. Jayson Tatum’s brutal injury. A blowout in the closeout. This series alone provided a lifetime of Knicks moments in just six games.
Reactions to The Comebacks:
Relive the ECF-Bound Celebration:
Article graphics by Omar Zahran (@omarzahran.bsky.social on Bluesky)
