How Many Championship Rings Does Patrick Ewing Have?

Patrick Ewing was an absolute force of nature on the basketball court, dominating on both offense and defense for years. Think about this: 11-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year in ’86, and a regular on All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.  The basketball world recognized his greatness by putting him in the Hall of Fame in 2008, and later naming him in the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.  So of course, you’d think the man must have multiple championship rings, right?

However, that isn’t the case. Patrick Ewing never won an NBA title. Despite coming close on more than one occasion. Throughout the 1990s, Ewing’s quest for a title was constantly blocked by legends like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the dominant Bulls dynasty. 1994 was the first heartbreak, followed by a bigger one in 1999. The numbers speak for themselves, but Ewing was more than stats. He was the heart and soul of New York basketball during that era. His real impact was carrying the Knicks on his back through some of the toughest battles in NBA history.

Patrick Ewing’s famous missed layup

If you want to talk about gut-wrenching Knicks moments, that Game 7 against the Pacers in ’95 still stings. Picture this: MSG is rocking, 5.5 seconds left, Knicks down two and the ball’s in Ewing’s hands. This is what he lived for, right? The guy who carried New York for years gets one last shot to save their season. He beats his man clean with a quick first step and… goes for a soft right-handed finger roll layup? A freaking finger roll?!

You could hear the entire city gasp when that soft touch bounced off the rim. I mean, this is a 7-foot monster we’re talking about. Everyone expected him to just dunk on somebody’s head. But nope. Between the exhaustion, the pressure, and that split-second decision, he went with finesse instead of power. And just like that, Pacers celebrate while New York’s season ends in the cruelest way possible.

That miss became the perfect snapshot of the Ewing era. So close to glory, but never quite getting there. People will argue forever about why he didn’t just slam it, but that’s sports for you. One moment defines a career, and for all his greatness, this was the one that haunted him. Knicks fans still get that sinking feeling when they see the replay.

Patrick Ewing’s career stats

Over the course of 1,183 regular-season games, Patrick Ewing put together an outstanding career. He averaged 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. He shot a solid 50.4% from the field and 74.0% from the free-throw line, showcasing both efficiency and consistency as a big man. By the time Ewing retired, he had 24,815 points, 11,617 rebounds, and 2,894 blocks. He left an undeniable mark as one of the most dominant centers of his era. His numbers were the backbone of a Knicks franchise that leaned on him for nearly two decades.

Patrick Ewing’s performance reached its absolute peak during the 1989–90 NBA season. Playing in all 82 games, he averaged a career-high 28.6 points, along with 10.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a remarkable 4.0 blocks per game. Ewing had heavy minutes, averaging 38.6 per game, and delivered with incredible efficiency, shooting 55.1% from the field and 77.5% from the free-throw line, his best splits across a full season. That year, he was one of the most unstoppable forces in the entire league.

That 1989-90 season was when Ewing really put it all together and he was an absolute beast. First Team All-NBA doesn’t lie, that was peak Ewing, playing the best ball of his career. Sure, the ring never came, but let’s be real: carrying the Knicks franchise for so long while putting up superstar numbers, that’s legendary status right there. Year after year, he showed up, dominated on both ends, and kept New York relevant in an era stacked with talent. The man was New York basketball, and that 89-90 season proved just how special he was at his best.