1983–84 New York Knicks season

The 1983–84 New York Knicks season was the 38th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In the regular season, the Knicks had a 47–35 record, and qualified for the NBA playoffs as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. New York was led by small forward Bernard King, who averaged 26.3 points per game (PPG) in the regular season and 34.8 PPG in the playoffs. In early 1984, King scored 50 points in consecutive games, against the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

In the opening round of the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Knicks faced the Detroit Pistons. The teams split the first four games, as the Knicks won the first and third games. However, they were unable to clinch the series in Game 4, held in Madison Square Garden, their home arena. In the fifth and deciding game, held in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, the Knicks held a 106–98 lead with less than two minutes remaining when Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas scored 16 points in a 94-second span. The game went into overtime, where New York won the game 127–123. King, despite playing with two dislocated fingers and the flu, scored 44 points in the game and 213 points in the series. His point total was the highest in NBA history by a player in a five-game series. After the Detroit series, the Knicks were matched with the Boston Celtics. In a seven-game series, the Celtics defeated New York.

Draft picks
Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first round and notable post-first-round picks.

Season standings

 * z – clinched division title
 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * October 28, 1983
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 113–106
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * October 29, 1983
 * Washington
 * W 100–97
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 2–0
 * W 100–97
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 2–0
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 2–0
 * 2–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 2, 1983
 * @ Seattle
 * L 111–125
 * Kingdome
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 4, 1983
 * @ Portland
 * L 97–106
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 5, 1983
 * @ Golden State
 * L 100–102
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 8, 1983
 * Milwaukee
 * L 90–97
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 7
 * November 10, 1983
 * @ Indiana
 * W 99–91
 * Market Square Arena
 * 3–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 11, 1983
 * San Diego
 * W 116–95
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 4–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 9
 * November 15, 1983
 * Indiana
 * W 94–87
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 5–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 16, 1983
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 97–102
 * The Spectrum
 * 5–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 11
 * November 18, 1983
 * @ Boston
 * W 110–103
 * Boston Garden
 * 6–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 19, 1983
 * Detroit
 * W 104–101 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 7–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * November 22, 1983
 * Boston
 * W 117–113 (2OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 8–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 26, 1983
 * Cleveland
 * W 96–84
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 9–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 27, 1983
 * @ Indiana
 * L 91–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 9–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * November 29, 1983
 * San Antonio
 * W 118–106
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 10–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–104
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–6
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 8–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 26, 1983
 * Cleveland
 * W 96–84
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 9–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 27, 1983
 * @ Indiana
 * L 91–101
 * Market Square Arena
 * 9–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 16
 * November 29, 1983
 * San Antonio
 * W 118–106
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 10–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–104
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–6
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 10–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 113–104
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–6
 * W 113–104
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–6
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 11–6
 * 11–6


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 1, 1983
 * Washington
 * W 127–93
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 12–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 3, 1983
 * Houston
 * W 117–101
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 13–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 6, 1983
 * Denver
 * L 112–117
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 13–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 21
 * December 8, 1983
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 97–120
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 13–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 9, 1983
 * @ San Diego
 * W 111–92
 * San Diego Sports Arena
 * 14–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 11, 1983
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 109–98
 * The Forum
 * 15–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 13, 1983
 * Boston
 * L 100–102
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 15–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 25
 * December 15, 1983
 * Chicago
 * L 107–113
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 15–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 26
 * December 17, 1983
 * Milwaukee
 * W 102–96
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 16–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 23, 1983
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 113–114 (2OT)
 * The Omni
 * 16–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 25, 1983
 * New Jersey
 * W 112–110 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * December 27, 1983
 * @ Chicago
 * L 96–102
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 17–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 28, 1983
 * Detroit
 * L 108–111
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Washington
 * L 86–91
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–14
 * The Omni
 * 16–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 25, 1983
 * New Jersey
 * W 112–110 (OT)
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 29
 * December 27, 1983
 * @ Chicago
 * L 96–102
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 17–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 28, 1983
 * Detroit
 * L 108–111
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Washington
 * L 86–91
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–14
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 17–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Washington
 * L 86–91
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–14
 * Capital Centre
 * 17–14
 * 17–14


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 32
 * January 3, 1984
 * Los Angeles
 * W 117–105
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 18–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 6, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * L 107–118
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 18–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 7, 1984
 * Indiana
 * W 140–103
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 19–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 9, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * W 111–73
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 20–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 13, 1984
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 101–103
 * MECCA Arena
 * 20–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 37
 * January 14, 1984
 * @ Chicago
 * W 113–111
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 21–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 38
 * January 17, 1984
 * New Jersey
 * L 115–121
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 21–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 19, 1984
 * Chicago
 * W 109–92
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 22–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 21, 1984
 * Atlanta
 * L 95–97
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 22–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 24, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * W 111–102
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 23–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 26, 1984
 * @ Washington
 * W 104–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 24–18
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 117–113
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–18
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 22–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 24, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * W 111–102
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 23–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 26, 1984
 * @ Washington
 * W 104–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 24–18
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 117–113
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–18
 * 43
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ San Antonio
 * W 117–113
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–18
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 25–18
 * 25–18


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * February 1, 1984
 * @ Dallas
 * W 105–98
 * Reunion Arena
 * 26–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * February 4, 1984
 * @ Houston
 * W 103–95
 * The Summit
 * 27–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * February 6, 1984
 * Golden State
 * W 116–94
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 28–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 8, 1984
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 103–113
 * MECCA Arena
 * 28–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 48
 * February 10, 1984
 * @ Utah
 * W 121–111
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 29–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 49
 * February 11, 1984
 * @ Denver
 * W 138–112
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 30–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * February 14, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 106–100
 * Kemper Arena
 * 31–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 51
 * February 16, 1984
 * Indiana
 * W 100–94
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 32–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * February 18, 1984
 * New Jersey
 * W 112–102
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 33–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 53
 * February 19, 1984
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 97–101
 * The Spectrum
 * 33–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 21, 1984
 * Portland
 * L 89–106
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 33–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 55
 * February 22, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * L 111–114
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 33–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * February 24, 1984
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 104–105 (OT)
 * The Omni
 * 33–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * February 25, 1984
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 104–117
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 33–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 27, 1984
 * Atlanta
 * W 96–92
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 34–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 29, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * W 102–98
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–24
 * February 22, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * L 111–114
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 33–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * February 24, 1984
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 104–105 (OT)
 * The Omni
 * 33–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 57
 * February 25, 1984
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 104–117
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 33–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 27, 1984
 * Atlanta
 * W 96–92
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 34–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 29, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * W 102–98
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–24
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 34–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 29, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * W 102–98
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–24
 * W 102–98
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–24
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–24
 * 35–24


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * March 2, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * W 117–102
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 36–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61
 * March 3, 1984
 * Milwaukee
 * L 106–111
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 36–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 62
 * March 6, 1984
 * Seattle
 * W 124–110
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 37–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * March 10, 1984
 * Utah
 * W 114–105
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 38–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * March 13, 1984
 * Phoenix
 * W 117–96
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 39–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 15, 1984
 * Cleveland
 * W 105–82
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 40–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 66
 * March 17, 1984
 * Kansas City
 * W 123–109
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 41–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 21, 1984
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 99–100
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 41–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 22, 1984
 * Boston
 * L 100–108
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 41–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 69
 * March 24, 1984
 * Washington
 * W 107–99
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 42–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 25, 1984
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 94–107
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 42–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 27, 1984
 * Dallas
 * W 97–88
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 43–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * March 28, 1984
 * @ Indiana
 * L 93–99
 * Market Square Arena
 * 43–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * March 30, 1984
 * @ Washington
 * L 79–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 106–109
 * The Omni
 * 43–31
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 42–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 27, 1984
 * Dallas
 * W 97–88
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 43–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 72
 * March 28, 1984
 * @ Indiana
 * L 93–99
 * Market Square Arena
 * 43–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * March 30, 1984
 * @ Washington
 * L 79–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 106–109
 * The Omni
 * 43–31
 * Capital Centre
 * 43–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 106–109
 * The Omni
 * 43–31
 * L 106–109
 * The Omni
 * 43–31
 * The Omni
 * 43–31
 * 43–31


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 2, 1984
 * Chicago
 * W 115–113
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 44–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 76
 * April 3, 1984
 * @ Chicago
 * W 113–96
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 45–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 77
 * April 6, 1984
 * Detroit
 * L 104–101
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 45–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 8, 1984
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 108–109
 * The Spectrum
 * 45–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 9, 1984
 * Cleveland
 * W 107–98
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 46–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 11, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 96–102
 * Boston Garden
 * 46–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 13, 1984
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 107–98
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 47–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 14, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * L 100–103
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 47–35
 * Boston Garden
 * 46–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 13, 1984
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 107–98
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 47–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 14, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * L 100–103
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 47–35
 * April 14, 1984
 * Philadelphia
 * L 100–103
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 47–35
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 47–35
 * 47–35

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 17, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * W 94–93
 * Bernard King (36)
 * Bill Cartwright (11)
 * Darrell Walker (7)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 14,127
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 19, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * L 105–113
 * Bernard King (46)
 * Truck Robinson (11)
 * Ray Williams (9)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 14,275
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 22, 1984
 * Detroit
 * W 120–113
 * Bernard King (46)
 * Bernard King (10)
 * Rory Sparrow (10)
 * Madison Square Garden 16,354
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * April 25, 1984
 * Detroit
 * L 112–119
 * Bernard King (41)
 * Truck Robinson (12)
 * Rory Sparrow (10)
 * Madison Square Garden 18,205
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * April 27, 1984
 * @ Detroit
 * W 127–123 (OT)
 * Bernard King (44)
 * Bernard King (12)
 * Ray Williams (12)
 * Joe Louis Arena 21,208
 * 3–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 29, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 92–110
 * Bernard King (26)
 * Truck Robinson (9)
 * Rory Sparrow (6)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 2, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 102–116
 * Bill Cartwright (25)
 * Bill Cartwright (11)
 * Rory Sparrow (5)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 4, 1984
 * Boston
 * W 100–92
 * Bill Cartwright (25)
 * King, Robinson (9)
 * Rory Sparrow (10)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,591
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 6, 1984
 * Boston
 * W 118–113
 * Bernard King (43)
 * Truck Robinson (9)
 * Ray Williams (9)
 * Madison Square Garden 15,840
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 9, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 99–121
 * Bernard King (30)
 * Bill Cartwright (10)
 * Ray Williams (10)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * May 11, 1984
 * Boston
 * W 106–104
 * Bernard King (44)
 * Bill Cartwright (14)
 * Rory Sparrow (11)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,591
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * May 13, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 104–121
 * Bernard King (24)
 * Truck Robinson (9)
 * Ray Williams (7)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 3–4

Awards and records

 * Bernard King, All-NBA First Team
 * Darrell Walker, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team