After missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years,[1] the Knicks received the seventh pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected Brazilian Nenê Hilario,[2][3] who was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Antonio McDyess.
[6][7][8] Meanwhile, Latrell Sprewell showed up to training camp with a broken hand, and was fined $250,000.
[9][10][11] In Don Chaney's first full season as head coach, the Knicks lost ten of their first twelve games, held a 21–27 record at the All-Star break, and missed the NBA Playoffs for the second straight year,[1][12][13] finishing tied for fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 37–45 record, which was a 7-game improvement over their previous season.
[1][14] Allan Houston led the team in scoring, averaging 22.5 points per game, while Sprewell averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Kurt Thomas provided the team with 14.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
[15][16][17] On February 4, 2003, in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sprewell scored 38 points and made each of his nine three-point field goal attempts.