The New York Knicks showcased remarkable resilience during the 1997-98 season, overcoming the loss of star center Patrick Ewing to injury for much of the year to finish with a 43-39 record. Led by the scoring of Allan Houston and Larry Johnson, along with the defensive tenacity of All-Defensive Second Team selection Charles Oakley, the team secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Their competitive spirit was on full display in the playoffs as they achieved a thrilling first-round series victory over the second-seeded Miami Heat to advance to the Conference Semifinals for the seventh consecutive year. The first overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft and a Hall of Fame center, Patrick Ewing was an 11-time All-Star and the 1986 Rookie of the Year who led the New York Knicks to two NBA Finals appearances during his legendary 15-season tenure with the franchise.