2020–21 New York Knicks season

The 2020–21 New York Knicks season was the 75th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On July 30, 2020, the Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau as their new head coach.

Fan attendance in home games was prohibited until February 23, 2021, per an executive order from then-Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. The Knicks reopened Madison Square Garden to spectators on February 23.

On May 3, with a 118–104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Knicks clinched their first winning season since the 2012–13 season, and on May 12, clinched their first playoff appearance since 2013, ending their eight-year playoff drought.

The Knicks faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs, losing in five games.

After the regular season, Julius Randle was named NBA Most Improved Player, while head coach Tom Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year, becoming the first Knicks head coach since Pat Riley in 1992–93 to receive the award.

Draft
The Knicks entered the draft holding two first round picks and one second round pick. The first round pick (no. 27) was acquired on February 6, 2020, in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The second round pick was acquired on February 7, 2018, in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. Before the draft the Knicks traded their 27th and 38th overall picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for draft rights to Ante Tomić and 23rd overall pick. The Knicks used their eighth overall pick to select Obi Toppin, and then selected Leandro Bolmaro with the 23rd overall pick, who was then traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Preseason
The preseason schedule was announced on November 27, 2020.


 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 1
 * December 11
 * @ Detroit
 * Barrett (15)
 * Noel, Randle (8)
 * Payton (7)
 * Little Caesars Arena No in-person attendance
 * 1–0
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 2
 * December 13
 * @ Detroit
 * Barrett (25)
 * Noel (10)
 * Randle (5)
 * Little Caesars Arena No in-person attendance
 * 1–1
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 3
 * December 16
 * Cleveland
 * Randle (18)
 * Robinson (10)
 * Payton, Quickley (7)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 2–1
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 4
 * December 18
 * Cleveland
 * Quickley (22)
 * Robinson (12)
 * Randle (8)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 3–1
 * Robinson (12)
 * Randle (8)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 3–1

Regular season
The schedule for the first half of the season was released on December 4, 2020, while the schedule for the second half was released on February 24, 2021.


 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1
 * December 23
 * @ Indiana
 * Barrett (26)
 * Randle (9)
 * Randle (9)
 * Bankers Life Fieldhouse No in-person attendance
 * 0–1
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 2
 * December 26
 * Philadelphia
 * Randle (25)
 * Robinson (9)
 * Barrett (4)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 0–2
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 3
 * December 27
 * Milwaukee
 * Randle (29)
 * Randle (14)
 * Payton, Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 1–2
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 4
 * December 29
 * @ Cleveland
 * Randle (28)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (11)
 * Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 300
 * 2–2
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 5
 * December 31
 * @ Toronto
 * Knox, Randle (16)
 * Randle (10)
 * Randle, Rivers (5)
 * Amalie Arena 3,449
 * 2–3
 * Knox, Randle (16)
 * Randle (10)
 * Randle, Rivers (5)
 * Amalie Arena 3,449
 * 2–3


 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 6
 * January 2
 * @ Indiana
 * Barrett (25)
 * Randle (11)
 * Randle (8)
 * Bankers Life Fieldhouse No in-person attendance
 * 3–3
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 7
 * January 4
 * @ Atlanta
 * Randle (28)
 * Randle (17)
 * Randle (9)
 * State Farm Arena No in-person attendance
 * 4–3
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 8
 * January 6
 * Utah
 * Randle (30)
 * Randle (16)
 * Payton (8)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 5–3
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 9
 * January 8
 * Oklahoma City
 * Barrett (19)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 5–4
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 10
 * January 10
 * Denver
 * Randle (29)
 * Randle (10)
 * Payton, Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 5–5
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 11
 * January 11
 * @ Charlotte
 * Knox (19)
 * Robinson (11)
 * Barrett, Randle (5)
 * Spectrum Center No in-person attendance
 * 5–6
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 12
 * January 13
 * Brooklyn
 * Randle (30)
 * Robinson (12)
 * Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 5–7
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 13
 * January 15
 * @ Cleveland
 * Randle (28)
 * Randle, Robinson (6)
 * Randle (6)
 * Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 1,944
 * 5–8
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 14
 * January 17
 * @ Boston
 * Randle (20)
 * Randle (12)
 * Quickley (8)
 * TD Garden No in-person attendance
 * 6–8
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 15
 * January 18
 * Orlando
 * Barrett (22)
 * Randle (17)
 * Barrett, Payton (4)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 7–8
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 16
 * January 21
 * @ Golden State
 * Barrett (28)
 * Randle (17)
 * Randle (9)
 * Chase Center No in-person attendance
 * 8–8
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 17
 * January 22
 * @ Sacramento
 * Randle (26)
 * Randle (15)
 * Randle (4)
 * Golden 1 Center No in-person attendance
 * 8–9
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 18
 * January 24
 * @ Portland
 * Quickley (31)
 * Noel (11)
 * Randle (5)
 * Moda Center No in-person attendance
 * 8–10
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 19
 * January 26
 * @ Utah
 * Rivers (25)
 * Randle (10)
 * Barrett, Randle (4)
 * Vivint Arena 1,932
 * 8–11
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 20
 * January 29
 * Cleveland
 * Quickley (25)
 * Randle (8)
 * Randle (6)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 9–11
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 21
 * January 31
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Randle (27)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 9–12
 * Quickley (25)
 * Randle (8)
 * Randle (6)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 9–11
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 21
 * January 31
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Randle (27)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 9–12
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 9–12


 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 22
 * February 1
 * @ Chicago
 * Randle (23)
 * Randle (11)
 * Quickley, Randle (7)
 * United Center No in-person attendance
 * 9–13
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 23
 * February 3
 * @ Chicago
 * Randle (27)
 * Robinson (11)
 * Randle (6)
 * United Center No in-person attendance
 * 10–13
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 24
 * February 6
 * Portland
 * Payton, Randle (22)
 * Randle (11)
 * Payton, Randle (4)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 11–13
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 25
 * February 7
 * Miami
 * Randle (26)
 * Randle (13)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 11–14
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 26
 * February 9
 * @ Miami
 * Payton (18)
 * Randle (8)
 * Payton (4)
 * American Airlines Arena No in-person attendance
 * 11–15
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 27
 * February 12
 * @ Washington
 * Randle (24)
 * Randle (18)
 * Rose (6)
 * Capital One Arena No in-person attendance
 * 12–15
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 28
 * February 13
 * Houston
 * Quickley, Randle (22)
 * Randle (9)
 * Barrett (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 13–15
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 29
 * February 15
 * Atlanta
 * Randle (44)
 * Randle (9)
 * Quickley, Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 14–15
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 30
 * February 17
 * @ Orlando
 * Randle (25)
 * Noel (9)
 * Payton (5)
 * Amway Center 4,249
 * 14–16
 * - style="background:#bbb;"
 * February 20
 * San Antonio
 * colspan="3"|Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic; moved to May 13
 * Madison Square Garden
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 31
 * February 21
 * Minnesota
 * Randle (25)
 * Randle (14)
 * Payton (7)
 * Madison Square Garden No in-person attendance
 * 15–16
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 32
 * February 23
 * Golden State
 * Randle (25)
 * Gibson (11)
 * Rose (8)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 15–17
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 33
 * February 25
 * Sacramento
 * Quickley (25)
 * Randle (14)
 * Rose (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 16–17
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 34
 * February 27
 * Indiana
 * Randle (28)
 * Randle (10)
 * Rose (11)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 17–17
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 35
 * February 28
 * @ Detroit
 * Randle (25)
 * Noel (11)
 * Randle (6)
 * Little Caesars Arena No in-person attendance
 * 18–17
 * Indiana
 * Randle (28)
 * Randle (10)
 * Rose (11)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 17–17
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 35
 * February 28
 * @ Detroit
 * Randle (25)
 * Noel (11)
 * Randle (6)
 * Little Caesars Arena No in-person attendance
 * 18–17
 * Little Caesars Arena No in-person attendance
 * 18–17


 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 36
 * March 2
 * @ San Antonio
 * Quickley (26)
 * Noel (12)
 * Randle (5)
 * AT&T Center No in-person attendance
 * 18–18
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 37
 * March 4
 * Detroit
 * Randle (27)
 * Randle (16)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 19–18
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 38
 * March 11
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Barrett (22)
 * Randle (8)
 * Burks (8)
 * Fiserv Forum 1,800
 * 19–19
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 39
 * March 13
 * @ Oklahoma City
 * Barrett (32)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (12)
 * Chesapeake Energy Arena No in-person attendance
 * 20–19
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 40
 * March 15
 * @ Brooklyn
 * Randle (33)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (6)
 * Barclays Center 1,637
 * 20–20
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 41
 * March 16
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Burks, Randle (19)
 * Randle (15)
 * Randle (8)
 * Wells Fargo Center 3,071
 * 20–21
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 42
 * March 18
 * Orlando
 * Burks (21)
 * Burks, Randle (10)
 * Randle (17)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,531
 * 21–21
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 43
 * March 21
 * Philadelphia
 * Randle (24)
 * Noel (10)
 * Barrett, Burks (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 21–22
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 44
 * March 23
 * Washington
 * Randle (37)
 * Robinson (12)
 * Barrett (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,589
 * 22–22
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 45
 * March 25
 * Washington
 * Burks (27)
 * Barrett (10)
 * Barrett (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,817
 * 23–22
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 46
 * March 27
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Barrett, Burks (21)
 * Noel (11)
 * Barrett (7)
 * Fiserv Forum 3,280
 * 24–22
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 47
 * March 29
 * Miami
 * Randle (22)
 * Noel (11)
 * Barrett (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 24–23
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 48
 * March 31
 * @ Minnesota
 * Randle (26)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (6)
 * Target Center No in-person attendance
 * 24–24
 * Barrett (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 24–23
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 48
 * March 31
 * @ Minnesota
 * Randle (26)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle (6)
 * Target Center No in-person attendance
 * 24–24
 * 24–24


 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 49
 * April 2
 * Dallas
 * Burks (20)
 * Randle (8)
 * Randle (11)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 24–25
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 50
 * April 3
 * @ Detroit
 * Randle (29)
 * Randle (8)
 * Payton (9)
 * Little Caesars Arena 750
 * 25–25
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 51
 * April 5
 * @ Brooklyn
 * Barrett (22)
 * Randle (15)
 * Randle (12)
 * Barclays Center 1,773
 * 25–26
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 52
 * April 7
 * @ Boston
 * Barrett (29)
 * Randle (9)
 * Randle (6)
 * TD Garden 2,298
 * 25–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 53
 * April 9
 * Memphis
 * Barrett, Quickley (20)
 * Randle (10)
 * Randle (11)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,912
 * 26–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 54
 * April 11
 * Toronto
 * Randle (26)
 * Noel (13)
 * Barrett, Randle (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,833
 * 27–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 55
 * April 12
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Randle (34)
 * Gibson, Randle (10)
 * Randle (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 28–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 56
 * April 14
 * @ New Orleans
 * Randle (32)
 * Gibson (10)
 * Randle (5)
 * Smoothie King Center 3,700
 * 29–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 57
 * April 16
 * @ Dallas
 * Randle (44)
 * Noel, Randle (10)
 * Randle (7)
 * American Airlines Center 4,246
 * 30–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 58
 * April 18
 * New Orleans
 * Randle (33)
 * Gibson (14)
 * Randle (10)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 31–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 59
 * April 20
 * Charlotte
 * Barrett (24)
 * Noel (11)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,753
 * 32–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 60
 * April 21
 * Atlanta
 * Randle (40)
 * Noel (12)
 * Randle (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 33–27
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 61
 * April 24
 * Toronto
 * Randle (31)
 * Barrett (12)
 * Rose (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 34–27
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 62
 * April 26
 * Phoenix
 * Rose (22)
 * Randle, Rose (6)
 * Rose (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 34–28
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 63
 * April 28
 * Chicago
 * Randle (34)
 * Noel (8)
 * Barrett, Rose (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 35–28
 * Rose (22)
 * Randle, Rose (6)
 * Rose (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 34–28
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 63
 * April 28
 * Chicago
 * Randle (34)
 * Noel (8)
 * Barrett, Rose (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 35–28
 * 35–28


 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 64
 * May 2
 * @ Houston
 * Randle (31)
 * Barrett, Randle (7)
 * Randle (6)
 * Toyota Center 3,431
 * 36–28
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 65
 * May 3
 * @ Memphis
 * Randle (28)
 * Gibson (12)
 * Randle (6)
 * FedExForum 2,789
 * 37–28
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 66
 * May 5
 * @ Denver
 * Quickley (18)
 * Randle (8)
 * Randle (5)
 * Ball Arena 4,038
 * 37–29
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 67
 * May 7
 * @ Phoenix
 * Randle (24)
 * Randle (11)
 * Rose (6)
 * Phoenix Suns Arena 8,063
 * 37–30
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 68
 * May 9
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Rose (25)
 * Randle (14)
 * Rose (8)
 * Staples Center 2,578
 * 38–30
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 69
 * May 11
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * Randle (31)
 * Randle (8)
 * Rose (6)
 * Staples Center 3,550
 * 38–31
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 70
 * May 13
 * San Antonio
 * Burks (30)
 * Burks (10)
 * Randle (9)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 39–31
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 71
 * May 15
 * Charlotte
 * Randle (33)
 * Noel (11)
 * Randle (13)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 40–31
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 72
 * May 16
 * Boston
 * Barrett (22)
 * Randle (7)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 41–31
 * 72
 * May 16
 * Boston
 * Barrett (22)
 * Randle (7)
 * Randle (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 1,981
 * 41–31
 * 41–31

Playoffs

 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1
 * May 23
 * Atlanta
 * Burks (27)
 * Randle (12)
 * Rose (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 15,047
 * 0–1
 * - style="background:#bfb;"
 * 2
 * May 26
 * Atlanta
 * Rose (26)
 * Randle (12)
 * Randle, Rose (4)
 * Madison Square Garden 16,254
 * 1–1
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 3
 * May 28
 * @ Atlanta
 * Rose (30)
 * Randle (11)
 * Rose (5)
 * State Farm Arena 15,743
 * 1–2
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 4
 * May 30
 * @ Atlanta
 * Randle (23)
 * Randle (10)
 * Randle (7)
 * State Farm Arena 16,458
 * 1–3
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 5
 * June 2
 * Atlanta
 * Randle (23)
 * Randle (13)
 * Barrett, Rose (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 16,512
 * 1–4
 * Randle (23)
 * Randle (13)
 * Barrett, Rose (5)
 * Madison Square Garden 16,512
 * 1–4

Regular season statistics
As of May 16, 2021

Playoff statistics
As of June 2, 2021