The most memorable New York Knicks moments in Madison Square Garden

The New York Knicks have called Madison Square Garden home since Feb. 11, 1968. Throughout the years, several incredible moments have occurred in the Garden. Ronald Phillips, a New York native, lists down some of the occasions that are forever etched in the minds of the Knicks faithful.

The Willis Reed Game

The 1970 NBA Finals saw the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers duke it out for the championship. New York was only able to hoist the trophy after seven, hard-fought games. But the Knicks almost failed to clinch the series as Willis Reed, the team’s starting center and the league MVP of that year, sustained a horrible leg injury in Game 5. Reed missed Game 6, which the Lakers won, but showed up in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

His appearance during the shootaround caused the arena to erupt in cheers. Though he was hobbled, Reed scored the first four points of the game and inspired his teammates and fans. The Knicks won the match by 14 points. For Ronald Phillips and other New York fans, the Willis Reed Game is clearly the most memorable Garden moment because it gave the franchise its first NBA title.

Larry Johnson’s Four-Point Play

During the 1999 season, the Knicks became the first team in league history to be the No. 8 seed that reached the NBA Finals. It was only made possible by Larry Johnson’s heroics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.

Facing a three-point deficit with only 11.9 seconds to go, Johnson drilled a contested 3-point shot while getting fouled. Fans at the Garden went wild after Johnson sunk the subsequent free throw, which gave the Knicks the lead and eventually the win. Ronald Phillips of New York believes this is the most memorable single play ever made by a Knicks player.