1990–91 New York Knicks season

Season of National Basketball Association team the New York Knicks March 2026 August 2023 New York Knicks 1991 39 43 Atlantic 3 8 Stu Jackson (fired) (7–8) John MacLeod (32–35) Al Bianchi Dave Checketts Ernie Grunfeld Paramount Communications, Inc. Madison Square Garden First round(lost to Bulls 0–3) NYK MSG Network(Marv Albert, John Andariese)The Fourth Estate New York Knicks 2003 331 http://www.nba.com/media/mediacentral/mg0304_nyk_10.pdf November 19, 2017 WFAN(Jim Karvellas, Walt Frazier)The Fourth Estate New York Knicks 2003 330 http://www.nba.com/media/mediacentral/mg0304_nyk_10.pdf November 19, 2017 The 1990–91 New York Knicks season was the 45th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association.New York Knicks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/ September 10, 2018 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Knicks signed free agent John Starks, who played in the Continental Basketball Association the previous season. Brown Clifton Many Questions Await Knicks as Camp Opens The New York Times October 2, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/02/sports/many-questions-await-knicks-as-camp-opens.html March 21, 2023 Brown Clifton Overlooked No More, Starks Gives Knicks a Lift The New York Times December 13, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/13/sports/overlooked-no-more-starks-gives-knicks-a-lift.html September 5, 2022Longman Jere Manhattan's Matador John Starks Was Killing Time. Now He's Killing the Bulls The Philadelphia Inquirer May 27, 1993 http://articles.philly.com/1993-05-27/sports/25964070_1_starks-first-john-starks-chicago-coach-phil-jackson June 16, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20150922014030/http://articles.philly.com/1993-05-27/sports/25964070_1_starks-first-john-starks-chicago-coach-phil-Jackson September 22, 2015 dead For the season, the Knicks slightly updated their home and road uniforms, replacing their alternate "NY" logo on the left leg of their shorts with their current primary logo; these uniforms would remain in use until 1992. New York Knicks Home Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/4khni6mhzqjwm765ngflgx5gs/New_York_Knicks/1991/Home_Uniform November 25, 2021 New York Knicks Road Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/hwje8berkoh2pukhhlzajw896/New_York_Knicks/1991/Road_Uniform November 25, 2021 Regular season The team changed their on-court leadership early in the season, as head coach Stu Jackson was fired, and replaced with John MacLeod after 15 games. Associated Press Jackson Out, MacLeod in with Knicks: NBA: New York, Off to a 7–8 Start, Fires its Second-Year Coach Los Angeles Times December 3, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-03-sp-4462-story.html March 21, 2023 Knicks Fire Jackson United Press International December 3, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/12/03/Knicks-fire-Jackson/3687660200400/ April 23, 2023Brown Clifton Jackson Is Let Go in a Surprise Move by the Knicks The New York Times December 4, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/04/sports/college-basketball-jackson-is-let-go-in-a-surprise-move-by-the-knicks.html February 1, 2016 The Knicks won six of their first nine games of the regular season, but then lost eight of their next nine games, and later on held a 20–27 record at the All-Star break. Basketball The Hour February 9, 1991 22 https://books.google.com/books?id=dwchAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA12&dq=1991+NBA+slam+dunk+roster&article_id=1433,1155810&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj00tPUuZyQAxXfnCYFHVURH0AQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=1991%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20roster&f=false April 4, 2026 However, the team recovered to a 34–33 record near the end of the season, but then went 5–10 in their last 15 games. 1990–91 New York Knicks Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1991_games.html July 30, 2016 The Knicks finished in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 39–43 record, and earned the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference for the NBA playoffs. 1990–91 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1991.html December 14, 2024 Patrick Ewing averaged 26.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game, leading the Knicks in both scoring and blocks, as he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. In addition, Kiki Vandeweghe finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game, while Gerald Wilkins provided them with 13.8 points per game, and Charles Oakley averaged 11.2 points and led the Knicks with 12.1 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Maurice Cheeks replaced Mark Jackson as the Knicks' starting point guard this season;Hubbard Jan Knicks' Jackson Is Ready to Take Over Los Angeles Times October 7, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-07-sp-234-story.html July 29, 2025 Cheeks contributed 7.8 points, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Jackson contributed 8.8 points and 6.3 assists per game off the bench. Also off the bench, Starks provided the Knicks with 7.6 points and 3.3 assists per game, three-point specialist Trent Tucker contributed 7.1 points per game, and Kenny Walker averaged 4.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. 1990–91 New York Knicks Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1991.html October 30, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ewing was selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Ewing scored 18 points along with 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, as the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference, 116–114.Associated Press Jordan Leads All-Star Vote Fifth Straight Year Los Angeles Times January 24, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-24-sp-1324-story.html June 29, 2025NBA.com Staff 1991 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1991 June 29, 2025 1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1991.html December 2, 2021 Ewing finished in eleventh place in Most Valuable Player voting, and also finished tied in seventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. 1990–91 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.html December 7, 2025 The Knicks finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 654,962 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season. NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Knicks faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Chicago Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard and Most Valuable Player of the season Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. 1990–91 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/1991.html January 22, 2026 In Game 1, the Knicks suffered a 41-point road loss to the Bulls, 126–85 at Chicago Stadium. Murphy Robert J. Bulls 126, Knicks 85 United Press International April 25, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/25/Bulls-126-Knicks-85/3131672552000/ March 21, 2023 Brown Clifton Basketball: Looking Up From Bottom, Knicks See a Mountain of Questions The New York Times April 27, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/27/sports/basketball-looking-up-from-bottom-knicks-see-a-mountain-of-questions.html March 21, 2023 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 25, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199104250CHI.html January 22, 2026 After losing Game 2 on the road by a score of 89–79, 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 28, 1991 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199104280CHI.html January 22, 2026 the Knicks lost Game 3 to the Bulls at home, 103–94 at Madison Square Garden, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Schabner Dean Bulls 103, Knicks 94 United Press International April 30, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/04/30/Bulls-103-Knicks-94/2005672984000/ April 10, 2023 Brown Clifton Basketball: No-Good-Knicks: Bulls Complete a Playoff Sweep The New York Times May 1, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/01/sports/basketball-no-good-knicks-bulls-complete-a-playoff-sweep.html October 16, 2021 1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-bulls.html April 10, 2023 The Bulls would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, Chicago Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/ December 24, 2025 and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the 1991 NBA Finals, winning their first-ever NBA championship. Brown Clifton Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A. The New York Times June 13, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/13/sports/jordan-crowns-career-and-bulls-reign-in-nba.html December 31, 2022 Heisler Mark NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108–101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting Los Angeles Times June 13, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-13-sp-738-story.html September 22, 2022 1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-finals-lakers-vs-bulls.html April 10, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Cheeks was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Knicks Acquire McCormick from Atlanta for Cheeks United Press International October 2, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/10/02/Knicks-acquire-McCormick-from-Atlanta-for-Cheeks/7597686376000/ November 21, 2022 Brown Clifton Basketball: Knicks Send Cheeks to Hawks for McCormick The New York Times October 3, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/03/sports/basketball-knicks-send-cheeks-to-hawks-for-mccormick.html January 3, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Knicks Trade Cheeks to the Hawks for McCormick Los Angeles Times October 3, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-03-sp-4355-story.html January 28, 2023 and Tucker was traded to the Phoenix Suns. Brown Clifton Basketball: Knicks Add Firepower by Acquiring McDaniel The New York Times October 2, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/02/sports/basketball-knicks-add-firepower-by-acquiring-mcdaniel.html November 20, 20221991–92 NBA Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992_transactions.html October 30, 2021 NBA draft 1990 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 17 Jerrod Mustaf PF/C Maryland Roster New York Knicks 1990–91 1 Maurice Cheeks G 6 1 180 1956–09–08 West Texas A&M 33 Patrick Ewing C 7 0 240 1962–08–05 Georgetown 14 Greg Grant basketball, born 1966 G 5 7 140 1966–08–29 Trenton State 13 Mark Jackson G 6 1 180 1965–04–01 St. John's 32 Jerrod Mustaf F 6 10 238 1969–10–28 Maryland 34 Charles Oakley F 6 8 225 1963–12–18 Virginia Union 23 Brian Quinnett G 6 8 235 1966–05–30 Washington State 3 John Starks G 6 3 180 1965–08–10 Oklahoma State 6 Trent Tucker G 6 5 193 1959–12–20 Minnesota 55 Kiki Vandeweghe F 6 8 220 1958–08–01 UCLA 7 Kenny Walker basketball F 6 8 210 1964–08–18 Kentucky 45 Eddie Lee Wilkins C 6 10 220 1962–05–07 Gardner-Webb 21 Gerald Wilkins G 6 6 185 1963–09–11 Chattanooga Stu Jackson (fired) John MacLeod Ernie Grunfeld Bob Salmi Paul Silas Jeff Van Gundy https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1991.html January 23, 1991 Regular season Season standings NYK y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot NYK z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log February 2011 Playoffs New York Knicks 1991 yes New York Knicks First Round yes yes no 0 1 0 2 |- | 1 | April 25 | @ Chicago | L 85–126 | Kiki VanDeWeghe (19) | Charles Oakley (11) | Maurice Cheeks (7) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 28 | @ Chicago | L 79–89 | Patrick Ewing (24) | Ewing, Oakley (10) | Trent Tucker (3) | Chicago Stadium18,676 | 0–2 |- | 3 | April 30 | Chicago | L 94–103 | Ewing, VanDeWeghe (20) | Patrick Ewing (14) | Maurice Cheeks (7) | Madison Square Garden18,021 | 0–3 |- NYK 1991 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGMaurice Cheeks 76 64 28.3 .499 .250 .814 2.3 5.7 1.7 .1 7.8Patrick Ewing 81 81 38.3 .514 .000 .745 11.2 3.0 1.0 3.2 26.6Greg Grant basketball, born 1966 22 0 4.9 .370 .333 .833 .5 .9 .4 .0 1.2Stuart Gray basketball 8 0 4.6 .333 1.000 1.3 .0 .0 .1 1.4Mark Jackson 72 21 22.2 .492 .255 .731 2.7 6.3 .8 .1 8.8Jerrod Mustaf 62 5 13.3 .465 .000 .644 2.7 .6 .2 .2 4.3Charles Oakley 76 74 36.0 .516 .000 .784 12.1 2.7 .8 .2 11.2Brian Quinnett 68 5 14.9 .459 .349 .722 2.1 .8 .3 .2 4.7John Starks 61 10 19.2 .439 .290 .752 2.1 3.3 1.0 .3 7.6Trent Tucker 65 13 18.4 .440 .418 .630 1.6 1.7 .7 .1 7.1Kiki VanDeWeghe 75 72 32.3 .494 .362 .899 2.4 1.5 .6 .1 16.3Kenny Walker basketball 54 8 14.3 .435 .000 .780 2.9 .2 .3 .6 4.3Eddie Lee Wilkins 68 1 9.8 .447 .000 .567 2.6 .2 .3 .1 4.1Gerald Wilkins 68 56 31.8 .473 .209 .820 3.0 4.0 1.2 .3 13.8 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGMaurice Cheeks 3 3 33.7 .609 .333 .500 3.0 5.3 1.0 .3 10.0Patrick Ewing 3 3 36.7 .400 .778 10.0 2.0 .3 1.7 16.7Mark Jackson 3 0 12.0 .333 .0 2.7 .3 .3 .7Jerrod Mustaf 3 0 7.3 .800 .800 1.7 .0 .0 .3 4.0Charles Oakley 3 3 33.3 .476 .500 10.3 1.0 .7 .3 7.7Brian Quinnett 3 0 12.0 .500 .333 .3 1.0 .3 .0 3.0John Starks 3 0 9.3 .400 1.000 1.0 2.0 .0 .0 2.0Trent Tucker 3 2 22.0 .360 .400 1.000 4.0 3.0 .3 .0 8.0Kiki VanDeWeghe 3 3 33.0 .406 .600 .880 2.7 1.3 .3 .0 17.0Kenny Walker basketball 3 0 10.3 .500 1.000 2.3 .7 .3 .3 3.3Eddie Lee Wilkins 1 0 13.0 .667 .500 2.0 .0 .0 .0 9.0Gerald Wilkins 3 1 26.0 .368 .286 1.000 2.7 1.7 1.7 .3 10.7 Source: Awards and records The Knicks won the 1990 McDonald's Open by winning games against Italy's Scavolini Pesaro and Yugoslavia's POP 84.NBA International Pre-Season and Regular-Season Games National Basketball Association http://www.nba.com/europelive/intl_games.htm August 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20101203182747/http://www.nba.com/europelive/intl_games.html December 3, 2010 dead Season Patrick Ewing was named to the All-NBA Second TeamAll-NBA & All-ABA Teams Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_league.html November 2, 2013 References External links 1990–91 New York Knickerbockers Statistics Category:New York Knicks seasons New York Knicks New York Knicks New York Knick Category:1990s in Manhattan