The 2000–01 NBA season was the 54th season of the National Basketball Association in New York City, New York. During the offseason, the Knicks acquired All-Star forward Glen Rice from the Los Angeles Lakers. acquired Erick Strickland from the Dallas Mavericks, and acquired Luc Longley from the Phoenix Suns. In their first season without Patrick Ewing, the Knicks remained a perennial playoff contender holding a 29–18 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team traded Chris Childs to the Toronto Raptors for former Knicks guard Mark Jackson and Muggsy Bogues, who never played for the Knicks due to a knee injury, while Strickland was dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Othella Harrington. The Knicks finished third in the Atlantic Division with a 48–34 record, earning the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Allan Houston led the team in scoring with 18.7 points per game, while Latrell Sprewell averaged 17.7 points per game as both players were selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game.