Charles Oakley Rips 'Coward' Patrick Ewing In Bizarre Knicks Feud

Two former New York Knicks stars are apparently in a serious feud in the middle of this year's NBA Finals.

Charles Oakley, who played for the Knicks from 1988-1998, revealed this week that his relationship with Patrick Ewing has deteriorated in a hurry over the past few decades. In fact, he claims they're beyond the point of repair.

"For Patrick not to be man enough to come and talk to me after having his back for 10 years, he's a coward," Oakley said, via TMZ. "The last straw was when he was in Cleveland, and he knows I'm from Cleveland, he knew I was at the game, and didn't speak to me, as many times as he's been to my mother's house, he can't speak to me? Naw. I'm drawing lines

Oakley wasn't done criticizing his longtime teammate.

"I mean, I played with him for 10 years. He's just not a good person. He might make money, All-Star, Dream Team, but that doesn't make you a good person."

Don't expect to see Oakley and Ewing reunite at MSG.

Oakley won't be able to attend the Knicks' home games during the NBA Finals due to his feud with James Dolan. As of this time, he's banned from Madison Square Garden.

"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," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "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."

The NBA Finals will resume this Friday night at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 10:28 AM.