National Basketball Association

'Our Captain': Knicks, NBA world react to death of Willis Reed

Updated Mar. 21, 2023 5:54 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

Willis Reed, the star and captain of the New York Knicks teams that won the NBA Finals in 1970 and 1973, died Wednesday at age 80. Reed's life was celebrated by both those who knew him personally and those who were inspired by him.

[Willis Reed, leader on Knicks’ two title teams, dies at 80]

Reed's most iconic moment came when, while nursing multiple severe leg injuries, he took the court for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, shocking the Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden and inspiring his teammates to a championship-clinching victory. 

"You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer," sportscaster Howard Cosell told Reed after the game.

Knicks: ‘As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind’

Adam Silver: ‘The ultimate team player and consummate leader’

The moment that made him a legend

‘A New York icon’

Read more:

• 2022-23 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket: Updated standings, matchups, seeds 
• 2022-23 NBA MVP Race: Can Giannis surpass Embiid, Jokic? 
• Klay Thompson counts rings out to trash-talking Dillon Brooks in Warriors' loss
• Rick Pitino reportedly agrees to six-year deal with St. John's
• John Fanta's 2023 March Madness instant reaction to every game
• Behind the scenes: How Fairleigh Dickinson toppled Purdue
• UConn is starting to look like UConn again
• NCAA Women's bracket: Top matchups, Final Four picks, more
• Mattress Mack can win $35 million if Houston wins it all
• NFL free agency grades: Every major signing for every team
• Trea Turner's grand slam powers Team USA into WBC semis
• World Baseball Classic odds: How to bet, expert picks, more
• MLB 26-and-under power rankings: Which teams have the best young players?
• College football rankings: Our top 25, spring football edition

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience

National Basketball Association

New York Knicks

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

New York Knicks

National Basketball Association