New York Is Headed To The Eastern Conference Finals!…Patrick Ewing Was On The Last Knicks Team To Reach The ECF In 2000, Melo Gave Hope But Never Made It Past Round 2. Now Jalon Brunson Surpasses Melo’s Feat Taking Knicks Back Into The ECF 25 Years Later.

EASTERN CONFERENCE BOUND: Jalen Brunson Leads Knicks Back to the ECF for the First Time Since 2000, Surpassing Carmelo Anthony’s Playoff Milestone

For the first time in 25 years, the New York Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals, reigniting a city’s championship hopes and ending a generational drought that has haunted fans since the year 2000. That last deep playoff run was led by franchise legend Patrick Ewing, who anchored the Knicks during a gritty era of Eastern Conference dominance. Now, a new face of the franchise, Jalen Brunson, has emerged as the player to finally break through the ceiling that eluded even the greats before him — most notably Carmelo Anthony.

While Carmelo Anthony gave Knicks fans reason to believe during his tenure in New York, consistently reaching the playoffs and delivering highlight moments, he was ultimately unable to guide the team past the second round. Despite multiple All-Star appearances and one of the most potent offensive games of his era, Melo’s Knicks never reached the Eastern Conference Finals. That bittersweet reality only adds more weight to Brunson’s current postseason heroics.

Brunson’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular. After signing with the Knicks in free agency, his growth as a leader, scorer, and clutch performer has taken center stage. This postseason, he has consistently delivered when it mattered most, pouring in points, facilitating ball movement, and showing the kind of toughness that echoes back to the ‘90s Knicks era — something the Madison Square Garden faithful have long craved.

New York’s return to the Eastern Conference Finals is not just a story about a talented team; it’s a story about redemption, resilience, and the rekindling of a storied franchise’s legacy. The Knicks fanbase, long known for its loyalty through decades of hardship, has reason to dream again.

As the city erupts in celebration, comparisons between Patrick Ewing’s 2000 squad and Brunson’s 2025 resurgence are inevitable. But one thing is clear: Jalen Brunson has already carved his place in Knicks history, surpassing Melo’s deepest playoff run and reviving a long-lost hope in the Big Apple.

The Knicks are four wins away from the NBA Finals — and a new era has officially arrived in New York.