The Celtics–Knicks rivalry is a

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA)

rivalry A rivalry is the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Rivalry is the "against each other" spirit between two competing sides. The relationship itself may also be called "a rivalry", and each participant ...

between the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

and the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the Na ...

. The Celtics and Knicks are two of only three remaining charter franchises (the other being the

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1946 i ...

) from the

Basketball Association of America The Basketball Association of America (BAA) was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. Following its third season, 1948–49, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (United States), National Basketball Lea ...

, which began operations in 1946. The Celtics and Knicks were both established in 1946 as charter franchises of the

, and are the two oldest teams still playing in their original city today. As a result, they have also played the most overall regular season games in history, with the Celtics playing nine more games (6,196 to 6,187) due to their invitation to the 2020 NBA Bubble. Their 498 regular season meetings are the most in NBA history.

History

1950s

The first playoff meeting was in the Division Semifinals of the 1950–51 season. This was the first round of the playoffs and a best-of-three series. The Knicks swept the Celtics and got to the

NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern and Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league ...

, but lost to the

Rochester Royals The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Confere ...

. The clubs squared off in the Division Semifinals once again in the following season. This time, the Celtics were able to win Game 1 at home, before the Knicks tied the series at home at 1. Game 3 was a tough, double overtime showdown in Boston, but the Knicks won 88–87. Once again, Knicks went to the finals and lost to the Lakers. In the 1952–53 season, the teams met in the Division Finals, a best-of-five series. The Knicks won Game 1, the Celtics won Game 2, each at home. The Knicks won Games 3 and 4 to win the series but lost to the Lakers in the Finals once again. Despite 3 Conference Championships with the help of future Hall of Famers

Dick McGuire Richard Joseph McGuire (January 26, 1926 – February 3, 2010) was an American professional basketball player and coach. McGuire was one of the premier guards of the 1950s, playing 11 seasons in the NBA (1949–60), eight with the New York Knicks ...

and

Harry Gallatin Harry Junior "The Horse" Gallatin (April 26, 1927 – October 7, 2015) was an American professional basketball player and coach. Gallatin played nine seasons for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1948–49 BAA ...

, the Knicks never won an NBA title in the 1950s. For the 1953–54 season, the teams played in a round-robin format along with the

Syracuse Nationals The Philadelphia 76ers are an American basketball team currently playing in the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 76ers are third in NBA ...

. This meant the 3 teams each played each other twice, and the one with the lowest winning % is eliminated. Syracuse went 4–0, Boston went 2–2, and New York went 0–4. Syracuse eliminated Boston in the following round. In the 1954–55 season, teams played each other in the Division Semifinals. The Celtics won Game 1 in Boston, the Knicks won Game 2 in New York, and the Celtics wrapped it up with a win in Game 3 but lost to the Nationals in the next round. It was the last playoff meeting until 1967. For the rest of the decade, the Knicks never advanced past the first round, while Boston won titles in the 1956–57, 1958–59, and 1959–60 seasons.

1960s

The Celtics major success continued into the 1960s as they were champions every season from 1959 to 1966. They were led by

Bob Cousy Robert Joseph Cousy ( , born August 9, 1928) is an American former professional basketball player. He played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals during the 1969–70 season. A 13-time NBA ...

, Sam Jones, Frank Ramsey,

Bill Russell William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played Center (basketball), center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was t ...

Satch Sanders Thomas Ernest "Satch" Sanders (born November 8, 1938) is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played his entire professional career as a power forward (basketball), power forward for the Boston Celtics of the National B ...

Tom Heinsohn Thomas William Heinsohn (August 26, 1934 – November 9, 2020) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. He was associated with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for six decades as a pl ...

, and K.C. Jones who all either had their number retired, or were inducted to the Hall of Fame. The Knicks' struggles continued by not qualifying for the playoffs from 1960 to 1966. When the Knicks finally made it back to the playoffs in the 1966–67 season, they met the Celtics in the Division Semifinals. The Celtics won the first two, but the Knicks fought back to win Game 3. The Celtics ended the series with a win in New York, but did not win an NBA title that season as they were defeated by the

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

in the next round. Boston won another title in 1968. In the 1968–69 season, the teams squared off in the Division Finals. Boston won the first two, but the Knicks won Game 3. Boston won Game 4 by one, then the Knicks won Game 5, but the Celtics won the series with another 1 point win en route to winning another NBA title.

1970s

In the 1971–72 season, the two teams met in the Conference Finals. The Knicks won the first two games, the Celtics won game 3, but the Knicks eliminated them with wins in Games 4 and 5. The Knicks went to the finals again but lost to the Lakers. In the 1972–73 season, the Knicks picked up

Earl Monroe Vernon Earl Monroe (born November 21, 1944) is an American former professional basketball player. He played for two teams, the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks, during his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Both teams ...

, who helped them go on another championship run. They beat Earl's old team, the Baltimore Bullets in round one, and met the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston won Game 1 at home, but the Knicks won the next three (Game 4 in 2OT). Boston fought back to tie the series at 3, but the Knicks routed them in Game 7 and went on to win their second NBA title. The teams met in the Conference Finals for the 3rd year in a row in the 1973–74 season. Boston won the series 4–1 and would go on to win their 12th NBA title. The Knicks era of greatness ended with the retirements of Reed and Frazier, and they went back to their old, familiar struggles. In the 1975–76 season, Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White, and the Celtics won another title.

1980s

The Knicks had minimal playoff success in the early to mid 1980s, despite

Bernard King Bernard King (born December 4, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player at the small forward position in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played 14 seasons with the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warrior ...

's great seasons in that time. In contrast,

Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend" Bird is widely regarded a ...

led Boston to titles in the 1980–81, 1983–84, and 1985–86 seasons. In 1984, they met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. It was a hotly contested series that ended with a Boston win at home in Game 7 (the home team won every game) en route to the Celtics' title victory over the Lakers. In the 1987–88 season, they met in the first round of the playoffs. Boston won the first two at home, but the Knicks won Game 3, but Boston won Game 4 and the series. They made it to the Conference Finals but got eliminated by the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), East ...

1990s

The Celtics and Knicks met again in the first round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, which the Knicks won 3–2. The two teams would not meet in the playoffs again until 2011. The 1991–92 season was the last season that the Celtics would reach the second round in the 1990s, while the Knicks made it to the second round or farther every year from 1992 to 2000. Under the leadership of Patrick Ewing and Anthony Mason, the Knicks experienced plenty of success including Eastern Conference titles in 1994 and 1999. However, they failed to win an NBA title. During this time, the Knicks' rivals included the

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player, who is currently a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Ass ...

-led

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

, as well as the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

and

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

, all of whom faced the Knicks in multiple memorable playoff series during this time. After the 1999–2000 season, Ewing was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics. The Knicks descended into irrelevance and did not win a playoff series again until 2013.

2000s

The Knicks had a major collapse after the end of the Ewing era as they did not win a single playoff game from 2001 to 2012. The Celtics went into a new era under the leadership of

Paul Pierce Paul Anthony Pierce (born October 13, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player. He played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), predominantly with the Boston Celtics. As of September 2024, he is a contributo ...

, who became team captain in 2003 and brought them back to the playoffs. In 2006, they drafted Rajon Rondo and in 2007, they acquired

Kevin Garnett Kevin Maurice Garnett ( ; born May 19, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player who played 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Big Ticket," Garnett is considered one of the greatest power f ...

and

Ray Allen Walter Ray Allen Jr. (born July 20, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. Allen played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a play ...

, which formed their "big three." The trio helped the Celtics win their 17th NBA title in the 2007–08 season.

2010–present

In the summer of 2010, the New York Knicks signed

Amar'e Stoudemire Amar'e Carsares Stoudemire (born November 16, 1982) is an American-Israeli professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as a player development assistant for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NB ...

, formerly of the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division (NBA), Pacific Division of the Western Conference (NBA), We ...

, who subsequently began rebuilding the team. Stoudemire averaged over 27 PPG in the 2010–11 season to help the Knicks clinch their first winning season since 2001. On February 21, 2011, the Knicks engaged in a high-profile trade with the

Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA), W ...

to acquire superstar

Carmelo Anthony Carmelo Kyam Anthony ( ; born May 29, 1984) is an American former professional basketball player. Anthony played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is a ten-time NBA All-Star Game, NBA All-Star and six-time All-NBA T ...

. Those moves helped secure the Knicks' first playoff berth since 2004, where they were immediately swept by the Celtics. However, the Celtics would lose to the

. The 2012–13 season saw the Knicks flourish under the leadership of Anthony and offseason acquisition Tyson Chandler. Anthony won the 2013 scoring title and helped them win the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1994. On January 7, 2013, the two teams played in New York. With nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a fight broke out on the court, triggered by animosity between Anthony and Boston's

. After the fight was broken up, words continued to be exchanged, and after the game Carmelo attempted to go after Garnett in the locker rooms. This led to Carmelo being suspended for one game. Carmelo served his suspension on January 10 when the Knicks faced the Pacers. A rep for the league released a statement, saying, "There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable to confront an opponent after a game." Both teams met again in the first round of the

2013 NBA playoffs The 2013 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2012–13 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat defeating the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spu ...

. The Celtics, who had lost Rajon Rondo to a mid-season injury, led the first two games going into halftime but were held to 25 and 23 points respectively in the second half to fall to 0–2. With the series shifting to Boston, the Knicks won Game 3, but Boston avoided elimination by winning Game 4 in Boston and Game 5 in New York. Game 6, played in Boston, featured the Knicks leading by 26 in the fourth quarter. The Celtics went on a 20–0 run in less than five minutes to make it a close game, but the Knicks held on to win their first playoff series since 2000. In the next round, the Knicks were beaten by the

in 6 games.

Season-by-season results

, - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Inaugural season of the

(BAA). Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are the only teams remaining in the NBA that have not changed their names or relocated. January 18, 1947, Celtics beat the Knicks 58–45, their fewest points allowed in a game against the Knicks and 4th fewest points allowed in a game as a franchise. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, Inaugural season of the NBA. The BAA and National Basketball League (NBL) merge to become the

(NBA). , - , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game site was played at Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence,

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...

. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1951 Eastern Division Semifinals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Knicks
, 1st postseason series in the rivalry. Knicks go on to lose 1951 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Knicks
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1952 Eastern Division Semifinals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Knicks
, 2nd postseason series. Knicks go on to lose

1952 NBA Finals The 1952 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1952 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1951–52 season. The Western Division champion Minneapolis Lakers faced the Eastern Divisi ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall,

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

* Rhode Island Auditorium , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1953 Eastern Division Finals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Knicks
, 3rd postseason series. Knicks go on to lose

1953 NBA Finals The 1953 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1953 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1952–53 season. The Western Division champion Minneapolis Lakers faced the Eastern Divis ...

. , - , , Tie , , Tie, , Tie, , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Philadelphia Arena,

* Convention Hall , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1954 Eastern Division Round-Robin , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , , style=";" , Knicks
, Only season in NBA history to use Round-Robin format. Celtics win eliminates Knicks from playoffs. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * New Haven Arena,

New Haven New Haven is a city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. With a population of 135,081 as determined by the 2020 U.S. census, New Haven is the third largest city in Co ...

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

, - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1955 Eastern Division Semifinals , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , , style=";" , Knicks
, 4th postseason series. Celtics win their first playoff series over the Knicks. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse,

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

, - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Onondaga War Memorial Celtics have the better record at New York for the first time since the 1946 season. Celtics win 1957 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Onondaga War Memorial Celtics lose 1958 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Onondaga War Memorial Last time in the rivalry Knicks held the overall series record over the Celtics. Celtics win 1959 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game sites were played at * Rhode Island Auditorium * Onondaga War Memorial Celtics take the overall series record over the Knicks for the first time. Celtics win 9 in a row against Knicks. On February 7, 1960, Knicks beat the Celtics 142–135, their most points scored in a game against the Celtics. Celtics win

1960 NBA Finals The 1960 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series of the 1960 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1959–60 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Division champion St. L ...

. , - , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Rhode Island Auditorium Celtics win

1961 NBA Finals The 1961 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series of the 1961 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1960–61 season in North America. The best-of-seven series was played between the Wester ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game sites were played at * Rhode Island Auditorium * Convention Hall Celtics win

1962 NBA Finals The 1962 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1962 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1961–62 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Division champio ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game site was played at

Kiel Auditorium Kiel Auditorium was an indoor arena located in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the home of the Saint Louis University basketball team, and hosted the NBA's St. Louis Hawks from 1955 to 1968. From 1913 to 1930, the site was home to Charles H. Tu ...

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

. Celtics record their 100th win over the Knicks. On October 20, 1962, Celtics beat the Knicks 149–116, their most points scored in a game against the Knicks in a regular season game. Celtics win

1963 NBA Finals The 1963 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1963 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1962–63 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Division champion Los Ang ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game site was played at Rhode Island Auditorium. Celtics win 11 in a row against Knicks. Celtics win

1964 NBA Finals The 1964 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1964 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1963–64 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Division champion San Fr ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, Neutral game sites were played at * Convention Hall * Rhode Island Auditorium Last season the rivalry was played at a neutral site. Celtics win

1965 NBA Finals The 1965 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1965 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association 1964–65 season. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Division champion Los Ang ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics sweep the season series over the Knicks for the first time. Celtics win

1966 NBA Finals The 1966 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1966 NBA playoffs, which concluded the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1965–66 season. The Eastern Division champion Boston Celtics faced the Western Division ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics sweep the season series over the Knicks for the second consecutive season. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1967 Eastern Division Semifinals , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , , style=";" , Celtics
, 5th postseason series. Celtics win 21 games in a row against the Knicks. Celtics go on to lose to the eventual NBA champions 76ers in the Eastern Division Finals, snapping their eight-consecutive NBA titles and ten-consecutive NBA title appearances, both NBA records. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , , style=";" , Celtics
, Final season Knicks played at Madison Square Garden (III). Celtics win

1968 NBA Finals The 1968 NBA World Championship Series pitted the Boston Celtics from the East, against the Los Angeles Lakers from the West, for the sixth time in ten years. The Celtics won their tenth NBA Championship in twelve seasons, by defeating the Laker ...

. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks win the season series for the first time since the 1955 season. Knicks finished with the better record in Boston for the first time since the 1949 season. Knicks open up

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1969 Eastern Division Finals , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , , style=";" , Celtics
, 6th postseason series. Celtics go on to win

1969 NBA Finals The 1969 NBA World Championship Series to determine the champion of the 1968–69 NBA season was played between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. The Lakers were heavily favored due to the presence of three formidable stars: Elgin Baylo ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks record their 100th win over the Celtics. Knicks win 1970 NBA Finals. , - , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks sweep the season series over the Celtics for the first time. On October 28, 1970, Knicks beat the Celtics 126–89, their largest victory over the Celtics with a 37-point differential. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1972 Eastern Conference Finals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 7th postseason series. Knicks go on to lose 1972 NBA Finals. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1973 Eastern Conference Finals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 8th postseason series. Knicks go on to win

1973 NBA Finals The 1973 NBA Championship Series was the championship series of the 1972–73 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, and the culmination of that season's playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks defeated the Western Co ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1974 Eastern Conference Finals , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, 9th postseason series. Celtics and Knicks meet in three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. Celtics go on to win

1974 NBA Finals The 1974 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1973–74 National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks 4 games t ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics win 11 in a row against the Knicks. Celtics win 1976 NBA Finals. , - , , Tie , , Tie, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics record their 200th win over the Knicks. , - , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics win 1981 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks have the better record in Boston for the first time since the 1970 season. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 10th postseason series. 2nd postseason series to reach 10 occurrences behind 76ers–Celics. Home team wins all games in the series. Celtics go on to win

1984 NBA Finals The 1984 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1983–84 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeated the Wes ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics sweep the season series over the Knicks for the first time since the 1966 season. Celtics lose

1985 NBA Finals The 1985 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 1984–85 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. It featured the defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference pl ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics in 10 in a row against Knicks. Knicks break their losing streak in double overtime. Celtics win 1986 NBA Finals. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics lose

1987 NBA Finals The 1987 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1986–87 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeated the defending NBA ch ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1988 Eastern Conference First Round , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, 11th postseason series. First time both teams meet in the first round. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 1990 Eastern Conference First Round , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 12th postseason series. Celtics win 27 home games in a row against Knicks. In game 2, Celtics beat the Knicks 157–128, their most points in a game against the Knicks and their second most points in a game overall as a franchise. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics win 24 regular season home games in a row against Knicks. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks win the season series for the first time since the 1970 season. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks sweep the season series for the first time since the 1970 season. Knicks lose

1994 NBA Finals The 1994 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 1993–94 season, and the culmination of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion Houston Rockets played the Eastern Conference cham ...

. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Final season Celtics played at the

Boston Garden The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928, as "Boston Madison Square Garden" (later ...

(as well as splitting their schedule with

Hartford Civic Center Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The city, located in Hartford County, had a population of 121,054 as of the 2020 census. Hartford is the most populous city in the Capitol Planning Region and the core city of ...

). , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics open up Fleet Center (now named TD Garden). , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks win 21 games in a row against Celtics. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks lose

1999 NBA Finals The 1999 NBA Finals was the championship round of the shortened 1998–99 NBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs took on the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks f ...

. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks win 15 home games in a row against Celtics. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, On November 29, 2007, Celtics beat the Knicks 104–59, their largest victory against the Knicks with a 45-point margin. It was also the 4th overall worst loss for the Knicks as a franchise. Celtics win

2008 NBA Finals The 2008 NBA Finals was the NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2007–08 NBA season, 2007–08 season and conclusion of 2008 NBA playoffs, the season's playoffs. A best-of-seven playoff series that was ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics lose

2010 NBA Finals The 2010 NBA Finals was the NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2009–10 NBA season, 2009–10 season and conclusion of 2010 NBA playoffs, the season's playoffs, held from June 3 to 17, 2010. A best-of ...

. , - , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics record their 300th win over the Knicks. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 2011 Eastern Conference First Round , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, 13th postseason series. First postseason series in the 21st century. , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, Knicks record their 200th win over the Celtics. , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 2013 Eastern Conference First Round , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 14th postseason series. Rivalry becomes the 2nd most frequent postseason series, behind 76ers-Celtics , - , , Tie , , Tie, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , Tie, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , Tie , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics lose

2022 NBA Finals The 2022 NBA Finals was the NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 2021–22 NBA season, 2021–22 season and conclusion of the 2022 NBA playoffs, season's playoffs. In this best-of-seven playoff series, ...

. , - , , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , Tie, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, Celtics win

2024 NBA Finals The 2024 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 2023–24 NBA season, 2023–24 season and conclusion to 2024 NBA playoffs, the season's playoffs. In the best-of-seven playoffs series, the Eastern ...

. , - , , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics
, , - style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;" , 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics
, 15th postseason series. , - , - , Regular season games , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , , - , Postseason games , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , , Includes the 1954 Eastern Division Round Robin (Celtics won both games), and the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals (in progress). , - , Postseason series , style=";" , Knicks , style=";" , , style=";" , Knicks, , style=";" , Celtics, , , Eastern Division Semifinals:

1951 Events January * January 4 – Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul – Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul for the second time (having lost the Second Battle of Seoul in September 1950). * January 9 – The Government of the Uni ...

1952 Events January–February * January 26 – Cairo Fire, Black Saturday in Kingdom of Egypt, Egypt: Rioters burn Cairo's central business district, targeting British and upper-class Egyptian businesses. * February 6 ** Princess Elizabeth, ...

, 1955,

1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 6 – Vietnam War: United States Marine Corps and Army of ...

Eastern Division Finals:

1953 Events January * January 6 – The Asian Socialist Conference opens in Rangoon, Burma. * January 12 – Estonian émigrés found a Estonian government-in-exile, government-in-exile in Oslo. * January 14 ** Marshal Josip Broz Tito ...

1969 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1969th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 969th year of the 2nd millennium, the 69th year of the 20th century, and the ...

Eastern Conference First Round: 1988,

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

2011 The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...

2013 2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years). 2013 was designated as: *International Year of Water Cooperation *International Year of Quinoa Events January * January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...

Eastern Conference Semifinals:

1984 Events January * January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888. * January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...

2025 So far, the year has seen the continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudanese civil war, and the Gaza war. Internal crises in Bangladesh post-resignation v ...

Eastern Conference Finals:

1972 Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, ...

1973 Events January * January 1 – The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark 1973 enlargement of the European Communities, enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 14 - The 16-0 19 ...

1974 Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; ...

, - , Regular and postseason , style=";" , Celtics , style=";" , , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Celtics, , style=";" , Knicks, , There were 25 neutral game sites played in total. * 10 games at Convention Hall * 7 games at Rhode Island Auditorium. * 5 games at Onondaga War Memorial * 1 game at Philadelphia Arena, New Haven Arena and

. , -

Individual Records

Top Scorers (Regular Season)

Per Game (Regular Season, min. 20 GP)

(BOS) – 24.7 (60 GP) #

(NYK) – 24.5 (22 GP) # Jayson Tatum (BOS) – 24.4 (29 GP) #

Patrick Ewing Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. (born August 5, 1962) is a Jamaican-American basketball coach and former professional player who is a basketball ambassador for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he played most o ...

(NYK) – 24.3 (61 GP) #

(BOS) – 23.4 (54 GP)

Top Scorers (NBA Playoffs)

Per Game (Playoffs)

(NYK) – 29.1 (7 GP) #

(BOS) – 28.0 (16 GP) #

(NYK) – 27.9 (10 GP) #

(NYK) – 25.9 (9 GP) # Walt Frazier (NYK) – 24.2 (23 GP)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Celtics-Knicks rivalry Boston Celtics New York Knicks NBA rivalries