Home Team Knicks Endures Fifth Consecutive Home Series Defeat in Bet-or-Die Situations

Channeling the Ghosts of Madison Square Garden

It's a freaky fact that the New York Knicks can't seem to seal the deal at home in 26 years. The last time they won a series-clinching game at the hallowed Madison Square Garden was back in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.

That's right, 1999! You'd think they'd had a few chances since then, but nope. The drought is real, and it's starring them in the face.

This ghostly pattern reared its ugly head yet again in the 2025 playoffs, when they squandered a 3-1 lead against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5, losing 106-103. That's not the only time they've let a golden opportunity slip away. Remember the 2024 season, when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the second round, or that heartbreaker against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the same year? How about that jaw-dropper against the Boston Celtics in 2013, or the loss to the Toronto Raptors in 2001?

Yep, it's been a long, spooky run for the Knicks, one that just won't end. Some might say it's just bad luck, but others might say it's something more... supernatural.

In Game 5 against the Pistons, Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson played phenomenal, with the Pistons' defense turning the tide. Jalen Brunson had a rough night, missing a stretch in the fourth quarter due to a right ankle injury, and then when he was ready to return, there wasn't a stoppage in play until 27 seconds remaining. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had to sit this one out, as he was out of timeouts and over the foul limit.

Don't forget the missed foul call in Game 4 that could have changed everything. The referees admitted that they should have called a foul on Josh Hart for his contest on a Tim Hardaway Jr. 3-point attempt at the buzzer, which would have given the Knicks the win. Instead, the Pistons won by one point, and they now lead the series 3-2.

So, what's next for the Knicks? Game 6 awaits them in Detroit on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. EST. Perhaps they'll find some relief in new surroundings. Let's hope their fortunes change, or else we might start believing in ghost stories.

[1] Knicks suffocate in 2025 playoffs, unable to shake losing streak (ESPN, April 30, 2025)[2] 1999 Eastern Conference Finals Recap: New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers (NBA.com, June 1999)[3] Knicks Fall to Detroit Pistons in Game 5, Extending Home Losing Streak (New York Times, April 30, 2025)[4] Knicks lose fourth home closeout game in 18 years, fail to clinch series against the Detroit Pistons (Yahoo Sports, April 30, 2025)[5] Breaking Down the Knicks’ Collapse in Game 5 Against the Detroit Pistons (The Ringer, April 30, 2025)

The New York Knicks, despite playing the NBA Finals, have not clinched a series-winning game at Madison Square Garden since the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
In the 2025 playoffs, during Game 5 against the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks lost a golden opportunity, with Jalen Brunson having a rough night and missed a stretch in the fourth quarter due to a right ankle injury.
During the 2024 season, the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the second round, and there was a heartbreaker against the Philadelphia 76ers in the same year's first round.
In 2013, the Knicks lost to the Boston Celtics, and in 2001, they lost to the Toronto Raptors.
The Knicks' losing streak in home series-clinching games dates back 26 years, and some have suggested that this pattern could be due to some supernatural influence.