Knicks return to NBA Finals 27 years after 1999 appearance

The New York Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The team won 11 consecutive postseason games and outscored opponents by an average of 19.4 points per game entering the series. The Knicks will face the San Antonio Spurs in a best-of-seven series that opens Friday in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Spurs feature center Victor Wembanyama.

Alumni perspective Patrick Ewing, who missed the 1999 Finals with a torn Achilles, told ESPN the earlier loss still hurts. He said the 1999 defeat affected him more than the 1994 Finals loss because he could not play. Larry Johnson said the current Knicks show the same edge as the 1999 team.

He noted the franchise had waited a long time for a contending roster and believes the group is close to a title. Other 1999 Knicks players, including Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and John Starks, have attended games during the playoff run. Several alumni said they see similarities between the two teams in sacrifice, chemistry and resilience.

Jalen Brunson, whose father Rick Brunson was on the 1999 roster, has drawn particular attention from the former players. They described him as the type of selfless leader the franchise has sought. Ewing said the city reaction shows the significance of the Knicks reaching the Finals again.