Knicks stay in a groove while taking aim at playoff records during NBA Finals
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns shoots the ball against the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama during the second quarter in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday in San Antonio, TX. Credit: Getty Images/Ronald Cortes
The theme of the Knicks’ playoff run? Dominance.
The Knicks haven’t lost a playoff game since April 23, which also was the first night of the NFL Draft. By the time they take the floor Friday night for Game 2 in San Antonio, it’ll be 43 days later.
The Knicks’ postseason winning streak, which hit a dozen after Wednesday night’s 105-95 win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, has been historic in several regards.
Here’s a look at the records that the team has set or approached this spring.
THE WINNING STREAK
The Knicks’ 12-game winning streak is tied for the second longest in NBA postseason history with the 1999 Spurs. Only Golden State in 2017 has a longer streak with 15 consecutive postseason wins, a streak the Knicks can match if they sweep San Antonio.
Both teams ultimately won the NBA Finals in five games but had those streaks snapped in their respective championship series; the 1999 Spurs lost to the Knicks in Game 3 at the Garden, and 2017 Golden State lost to the Cavaliers in Game 4 in Cleveland.
“There's a lot more basketball to be played,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after Wednesday’s win. “But like I’ve said to y'all and the media who’s followed us on our journey here, every game has to be approached like it's 0-0. You have to come out with that same energy, intensity and desperation, like it's Game 1 of any playoff series.
“We've got 48 hours to rest up and do it all over again and even at a higher level.”
Based on actual time, the Knicks’ winning streak technically is longer than the stretch of the 1999 Spurs, who went 39 days without losing a game. The first 54 days of Golden State’s 2017 playoff run did not include a loss.
During the streak, the Knicks are beating opponents by an average of 22.7 points, more than Golden State’s streak (16.1 average margin of victory) and San Antonio’s (9.9), according to NBA.com. Entering the NBA Finals, the Knicks outscored their opponents by 19.4 points per game, which would be the best point differential in NBA playoff history. That margin now is at 18.7 for the postseason.
“We have to keep taking it one game at a time and stay present and see what happens,” Mike Brown said.
OFFENSIVE PROWESS
The Knicks’ offense — led by Jalen Brunson’s 27.1 points per game this postseason, the third most in the NBA — has operated at an incredible level.
According to ESPN, the Knicks’ 123.3 offensive rating in their 14 playoff games before the NBA Finals was the highest intraconference mark posted by an Eastern Conference champion since the NBA’s current playoff format was implemented in 2003. They surpassed the 2017 Cavaliers, as well as the other eight Eastern Conference squads that LeBron James led to the NBA Finals.
After Wednesday night’s Game 1, the Knicks have a 122.0 offensive rating, according to NBA.com. That is the third highest in the website’s database (which dates to the 1997 playoffs) behind only last year’s Cavaliers (122.6 offensive rating in nine games) and the 2021 Trail Blazers (122.1 offensive rating in six games).
This postseason, the Knicks lead the NBA in points per game (118.9), field-goal percentage (50.7%), three-point percentage (39.3%) and true shooting percentage (61.6%). They also rank first in assist ratio (18.9) and second behind Toronto in assists per game (26.3).
ROLLING ON THE ROAD
Opposing teams’ arenas have been a home away from home for the Knicks these playoffs.
“Knicks fans have shown throughout the regular season and obviously in the playoffs that they are willing to travel, and it definitely shows up, makes a difference,” Landry Shamet said Wednesday. “We notice it.”
The Knicks have put on a show for fans who have shown up in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland and now San Antonio.
The Knicks won their seventh consecutive road game Wednesday night, matching six other teams for the second-longest winning streak in a single postseason.
The 2001 Lakers own the NBA record with eight straight playoff road wins, a mark the Knicks can match with a win in Friday night’s Game 2. Of course, the only way the Knicks would be able to surpass the Lakers is if they win Game 2, lose Game 3 and/or 4 at home, and then win Game 5.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
