The 1986–87 NBA season was the Knicks' 41st season in the NBA[1] and the last time they would miss the playoffs until their 2001–02 season.
With second-year center Patrick Ewing still struggling with injuries and after starting the season 4–12, head coach Hubie Brown was fired and Bob Hill took over for the rest of the season.
Brown returned to coach the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2002–03 season.
Bernard King, only able to play six games this year, was released at the end of the season, signing as a free agent with the Washington Bullets.