History of Bulls–Knicks rivalry in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 3, 2026

The Bulls-Knicks rivalry, an NBA fixture since 1966, intensified in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Dominated by Michael Jordan's Bulls, the Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, consistently challenged Chicago for Eastern Conference supremacy. Their battles were physical and hard-fought, often defining the Eastern Conference playoffs. While the Bulls consistently defeated the Knicks during their championship runs, the Knicks did manage to beat the Bulls in 1994, when Jordan was briefly retired. Although the intensity has waned in recent decades, their history remains a significant chapter in NBA lore, remembered for its competitiveness and star power.

1966: Bulls Join the NBA

In 1966, the Chicago Bulls joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) and have played the New York Knicks every year since then.

1966: Bulls Join the Western Division/Conference

In 1966, when the Bulls joined the NBA, both the Bulls and the Knicks were inter-conference rivals, as the Bulls played in the Western Division/Conference.

1971: Knicks Win Atlantic Division Title

In 1971, the Knicks won their first Atlantic Division title since 1971 with a 52–30 record and clinched the 2nd seed in the East.

1980: Neither Team Reaches NBA Finals

Between 1966 and 1980, both the Bulls and the Knicks were regularly present in the NBA playoffs, but neither team met in the NBA Finals.

1980: Bulls Move to Eastern Conference

In the 1980 offseason, the Chicago Bulls moved to the Eastern Conference, making their rivalry with the New York Knicks an intra-conference affair.

1981: Bulls Sweep Knicks in Playoffs

In the 1981 NBA playoffs, the Bulls, under head coach Jerry Sloan, swept the Knicks 2–0 in the first round. The Bulls were then swept by the Boston Celtics in the next round.

1984: Bulls Draft Michael Jordan

In the 1984 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan with their first-round pick (3rd overall).

1984: Ewing, Jordan and Mullin win gold at Summer Olympics

In the 1984 Summer Olympics, Ewing, Jordan, and Chris Mullin won gold medals as amateurs.

1985: Knicks Draft Patrick Ewing

In the 1985 NBA draft, the New York Knicks selected Patrick Ewing with their first-round pick (1st overall).

1989: Playoff Contenders Emerge

In 1989, the Bulls and Knicks emerged as major playoff contenders, due to the frequency of high-stakes contests, well-known players like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing and John Starks, and personnel changes.

1989: Bulls Upset Knicks in Playoffs

In 1989, the Bulls upset the Knicks 4-2 in the playoffs, led by Michael Jordan, despite the Knicks winning their first Atlantic Division title since 1971.

1991: Bulls Sweep Knicks, Win Championship

In 1991, the Bulls, leading the East with a franchise-best 61 wins, swept the Knicks in the playoffs and went on to win their first NBA Championship.

1992: Bulls Defeat Knicks in Game 7

In 1992, the Bulls, led by Jordan and Pippen, defeated the Knicks in a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, intensifying the rivalry.

1992: Starks Dunks over Grant

In 1992–93 season, Starks dunked over Horace Grant in Game 2 during the Eastern Conference Finals.

1992: Ewing, Jordan, and Pippen Win Gold at Summer Olympics

In the 1992 Summer Olympics, Ewing, Jordan, and Pippen won gold medals as members of the "Dream Team".

1993: Bulls Overcome 2-0 Deficit, Win Game 5 in New York

In 1993, the Bulls overcame a 2-0 series deficit against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, winning Game 5 in New York 97-94. Jordan scored 54 points in Game 4.

1993: Knicks Gain Upper Hand with Jordan's Absence

In 1993–94, with Jordan's absence, the Knicks had the upper hand and compiled the second-best record in the East. The Bulls and Knicks met in the second round, where the series went 7 games.

1994: Knicks Lose to Rockets in NBA Finals

In 1994, following a Bulls' 3-peat, the Knicks made a Finals appearance but lost to the Houston Rockets.

1994: Knicks Defeat Bulls, Lose NBA Finals

In 1994, the Knicks defeated the Bulls in the playoffs but lost to the Rockets in the NBA Finals. This was the only time the Knicks beat the Bulls in the playoffs during this era.

1994: Jordan Returns in Latter Half of Regular Season

In 1994–95, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA in the latter half of the regular season.

March 29, 1995: Jordan Scores 55 in Return to Garden

On March 29, 1995, Michael Jordan scored 55 points in a Chicago win against the Knicks in his return to Madison Square Garden, which was his 5th game back after returning to the NBA.

1995: Bulls Experience Worst Loss to Knicks

During the Bulls' record-setting 1995–96 season, they suffered their worst loss of the season to the Knicks, 102–74 in March. The Bulls defeated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 5 games.

1995: Jordan Retires to Play Baseball

In 1993, the Bulls beat the Suns in 6 games for their first three-peat, after which Michael Jordan retired to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox and would be his last game until 1995.

1996: Bulls Dominate Playoff Series

From 1989 to 1996, the Bulls and Knicks met in the playoffs six times, with the Bulls winning five of those series.

1996: Pippen Wins NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 1996, Scottie Pippen won an NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same year.

1996: Bulls Defeat Knicks in Playoffs

In 1996, the Bulls defeated the Knicks in the playoffs during their second three-peat.

1997: Van Gundy Labels Jordan a 'Con Man'

In 1997, Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy labeled Michael Jordan a "con man", prompting Jordan to respond with a 51-point performance against New York.

March 8, 1998: Jordan's Last Game as a Bull at MSG

On March 8, 1998, Michael Jordan played his last game as a Bull at Madison Square Garden.

1998: Bulls Face Pacers in Game 7

In 1998, the Bulls faced the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 7.

1999: Knicks Lose to Spurs in NBA Finals

In 1999, following a Bulls' 3-peat, the Knicks made another Finals appearance after a Cinderella march but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

January 18, 2005: Gordon's Game-Winning Layup

On January 18, 2005, Ben Gordon scored a game-winning layup to lead the Bulls past the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

2011: Both Teams in the Playoffs

In 2011, both the Bulls and Knicks were in the playoffs, but they did not meet in a series.

April 8, 2012: Anthony's Game-Winning Three-Pointer

On April 8, 2012, Carmelo Anthony's three-point shot in overtime gave the Knicks the win at home over Chicago.

2012: LeBron James Wins NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, LeBron James won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

2012: Both Teams in the Playoffs

In 2012, both the Bulls and Knicks were in the playoffs, but they did not meet in a series.

October 31, 2013: Rose's Game-Winning Field Goal

On October 31, 2013, Derrick Rose banked in a game-winning field goal to beat the Knicks at the United Center.

2013: Both Teams in the Playoffs

In 2013, both the Bulls and Knicks were in the playoffs, but they did not meet in a series. Both teams reached up to the Eastern Conference Finals.

June 22, 2016: Bulls Trade Rose to Knicks

On June 22, 2016, the Bulls traded Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 draft pick to the Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and José Calderón.

2016: Kyrie Irving Wins NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Kyrie Irving won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

2017: 2017 Draft Pick

In 2016, the Bulls traded Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 draft pick to the Knicks for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and José Calderón.

2021: Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton Win NBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2021, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

November 13, 2024: White's Game-Winning Free Throws

On November 13, 2024, Coby White made game-winning free throws following a shooting foul committed by Josh Hart to lead the Bulls past the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.