Willis Reed Limped Onto the Court Before Game 7 of the 1970 Finals
Willis Reed Limped Onto the Court Before Game 7 of the 1970 Finals
The most famous entrance in Knicks history happened on May 8, 1970. Reed had suffered a serious leg injury earlier in the series. His status was a mystery until warmups. Then he limped out of the tunnel, and the Garden erupted.
Reed opened the scoring with two jump shots. Those were his only points, but the tone was set. Frazier carried the offense with 36 points and 19 assists. New York won 113-99 for its first NBA title.
The most famous walk
Reed's walk onto the court is the original iconic tunnel moment. Modern arrivals are fashion moments, as seen in the 2026 ranking of the NBA's best tunnel fits, a very different kind of entrance. Reed's walk was about toughness and leadership. Both kinds of entrance set the tone for the night.
The Finals MVP award went to Reed. He also won the regular season MVP that year. His 1970 season is legendary. He later won another Finals MVP in 1973.
Reed's career
He was a Knick for his whole career. His career started with a Rookie of the Year award. Injuries limited his later years. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1982.
His story is told in Reed's biography, including the 1970 Finals. He died at 80 in 2023. The Knicks honored him with tributes at the Garden. The clip is still shown before big games.
The Willis Reed moment
The phrase "a Willis Reed moment" entered sports language. It is a common expression. It describes inspiring a team by simply showing up. Few athletes have their names turned into a phrase.
The 1970 Knicks won with teamwork, and Reed's walk symbolized it. It is still the franchise's signature moment. It is the original entrance that matters. The tradition started with Reed.
How they got there
The Knicks finished 60-22. An 18-game streak highlighted the season. Red Holzman's system emphasized team defense. The 1970 team is still one of the franchise's best.
The Knicks beat Baltimore and Milwaukee on the way to the Finals. The Bucks had a rookie named Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Then came the Lakers, with Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. Beating that roster made the title even more impressive.