Charles Oakley-James Dolan feud continues during Knicks’ NBA Finals run despite peace efforts by Michael Jordan, Adam Silver

One of the New York Knicks‘ biggest supporters won’t be in the stands when the team returns home.

The feud between former Knicks forward Charles Oakley and team owner James Dolan — which once saw the big man banned from Madison Square Garden — is still ongoing despite pleas from both Michael Jordan and Adam Silver, according to NBA reporter Rachel Nichols.

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Prior to Game 1 of the Finals, which the Knicks won 105-95, Silver revealed he and Jordan attempted to broker peace, to no avail:

“It is a shame in that I tried, Michael Jordan tried, too, as you said, to broker peace between Charles and Jim Dolan. Our efforts were unsuccessful. I think it’s unfortunate for the NBA that this is an ongoing situation.

“But as you know, it’s currently wrapped up in litigation. I tried my best. So I don’t really see anything else I can do at the moment”

For years, Oakley was one of the Knicks’ most fervent supporters. But that changed in 2017, when he reportedly went after Dolan during a game. Play was momentarily stopped after Oakley shoved a team security guard. He was later arrested and charged with assault and trespassing.

A few days later, Oakley was banned from Madison Square Garden. Dolan did a rare public interview at the time, insisting Oakley’s ban was “not necessarily a lifetime ban.” The ban has since been lifted, per The New York Times, with Oakley rejecting an invitation to Madison Square Garden in 2024.

Oakley told the Times he has no plans to return the arena for the Finals and continued to lay into Dolan:

“It’s a situation that should have been solved a long time ago from the guy who owns the team,” Mr. Oakley said, accusing Mr. Dolan of “running a plantation.”

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Oakley’s feud with Dolan started years before his ban from MSG. In 2015, Oakley revealed he was frustrated with Dolan after the owner refused to meet with Oakley.

Oakley spent 10 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Knicks. He excelled as a defensive enforcer, and made one All-Star team during his 10 years in New York. The Knicks made the playoffs every single season during Oakley’s run.

Following Wednesday’s win, the Knicks are three games away from winning the championship. With the team set to return home Monday for Game 3, there’s no better time for Dolan to bury the hatchet and get Oakley back in the seats.

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Despite urging from Jordan and Silver, neither man sees it that way.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated Oakley was still banned from Madison Square Garden. It has been updated with more recent information.