The New York Knicks have reached the Eastern Conference Finals for only the second time in the 21st century.
They secured their spot by defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the series, closing it out in Game 6 on Friday. Their path included winning the initial two games and a crucial Game 4.
Since their last appearance in the Conference Finals during the 1999-2000 season, the Knicks had three prior opportunities (2013, 2023, and 2024) to return but were unsuccessful each time, including a hard-fought seven-game series against the Indiana Pacers last season.
Let`s take a look back at some notable happenings from May 23, 2000, the last time the Knicks reached this stage.
Thibodeau, Brunson on familiar bench
Since Tom Thibodeau took over as head coach in 2020, the Knicks have made the playoffs four times, ending a seven-year drought.
Thibodeau`s history with the team runs deeper; he served as an assistant coach from 1996 to 2003, including during their last Conference Finals run.
Notably, one player Thibodeau coached back then was Rick Brunson, father of current Knicks star Jalen Brunson. Rick Brunson played briefly in that Indiana series and now serves as a Knicks assistant coach, a role he`s held since the 2022-23 season, following Jalen`s signing.
Carlos Santana dominating charts
Fresh off his No. 1 hit `Smooth,` Carlos Santana had another chart-topper. `Maria Maria` held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, coinciding with the Knicks being just four wins away from the 2000 NBA Finals.
The song, featuring The Product G&B, spent a total of 26 weeks on the charts, with 10 weeks at No. 1. It earned a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Other popular songs in the Top 10 at that time included `Breathe` (Faith Hill), `Say My Name` (Destiny`s Child), `Bye Bye Bye` (*NSYNC), and `Try Again` (Aaliyah).
`Gladiator` in midst of epic run
The historical epic film `Gladiator` premiered on May 5, 2000, and became the year`s second-highest-grossing film globally. It received an impressive 12 nominations at the 73rd Academy Awards.
`Gladiator` won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
Lakers nearing miraculous comeback
While the Knicks` run ended in six games against the Pacers, the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers was a memorable seven-game series.
After falling behind 3-1 in the series, the Trail Blazers rallied to force a winner-take-all Game 7 at the Staples Center.
Despite Portland holding a 15-point lead with just 10 minutes left in Game 7, the Lakers mounted a dramatic comeback, sealed by the famous alley-oop from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O`Neal. This play gave Los Angeles a lead they wouldn`t surrender in the final seconds.
