Fifty-six years ago tonight, a Knicks team defending its first title walked into Boston and won 126-89. Mike Brown's champions are 1-3 and need the Bulls game to be a start, not another stumble.
Champs Then
Red Holzman's Knicks won the franchise's first championship in 1970 behind Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Dick Barnett and Phil Jackson. On Oct. 28, 1970, wearing the crown, they went to Boston and won 126-89. One year earlier to the day, in the season that ended with the title, they beat Atlanta 128-104 at home. That is how a champion handles October. It doesn't wait around.
Champs Now
The 2026 title ended a drought that went back to 1973. The defense of that title started with losses at Boston, 107-103, and to Orlando, 111-102. Detroit finally broke the skid on Tuesday, 111-97. New York fell behind by 13, then built a lead of 27. Towns posted 27 and 20 boards. Josh Hart had five steals and finished plus-19. One win does not erase the hole. It just stops the digging.
Chicago Gets Next
The Bulls are 1-3 and have lost two straight. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury. Patrick Williams is day-to-day with a groin issue. Chicago is wounded and it is losing. A champion beats that team. Jose Alvarado is day-to-day with his left ankle, and he could be back as soon as tonight.
History Warns
This date also carries scars. On Oct. 28, 1961, the Knicks lost 132-102 at Boston, and that season ended with Wilt Chamberlain dropping 100 on them. On Oct. 28, 1976, three years after the 1973 title, they lost 114-90 at Cleveland. After the 1973 title they waited 53 years for another. Titles don't protect anybody. A team that coasts on one learns that fast.
Bottom Line
The chase is a second straight championship, which this franchise has never won. Seventy-eight games remain. At this pace New York finishes 21-61, and nobody in this locker room should accept that. Next up are Chicago tonight and Philadelphia on Friday in the NBA Cup. The 1970 team showed the standard on this date. Now it's this team's turn.
Have the Knicks ever won back-to-back NBA championships?
No. Their titles came in 1970, 1973 and 2026, so a repeat this season would be a franchise first.
How did the Knicks do on Oct. 28 the last time they were defending champions?
On Oct. 28, 1970, a year after winning the 1970 title, they beat the Celtics in Boston 126-89.
