Adam Silver tried. Michael Jordan tried. Still, the James Dolan and Charles Oakley feud is alive and well.
With the Knicks playing in their first NBA Finals in 27 years, the commissioner was asked about the one Knicks legend missing from the alumni that have been filling Madison Square Garden this spring. Oakley, the bruising forward who spent a decade as a fan favorite in New York, has been at war with the controversial Knicks owner since his 2017 ejection from the Garden and the lawsuit that followed.
Silver said he wishes it were different.
“It is a shame in that I tried, Michael Jordan tried too, to broker peace between Charles and Jim Dolan,” Silver said before Game 1 of the Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. “Our efforts were unsuccessful. I think it’s unfortunate for the NBA that this is an ongoing situation.”
Oakley was forcibly removed from his seat at the Garden during a Knicks game in February 2017 and arrested. He later sued Dolan and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, alleging assault and defamation. The case has dragged on through the federal courts for years.
Silver said the litigation has tied his hands.
“As you know, it’s currently wrapped up in litigation,” Silver said. “I tried my best. So I don’t really see anything else I can do at the moment.”
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
San Antonio hosted Game 1 of the NBA Finals as Knicks fans made their presence felt on the road.
See the familiar faces supporting New York during the opening game of the series.
Above, American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
San Antonio hosted Game 1 of the NBA Finals as Knicks fans made their presence felt on the road.
See the familiar faces supporting New York during the opening game of the series.
Above, American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Director Spike Lee looks on during the first quarter between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Actor Tracy Morgan in the first half during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Former New York Knicks Patrick Ewing reacts before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Former NBA player, Shaquille O’Neal enters the arena for Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
(Daniel Dunn, Imagn Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
American actor and comedian Ben Stiller reacts during Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Spike Lee participates in the ESPN pre-game show before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
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Spike Lee, Ben Stiller among Knicks fans at Game 1 of the NBA Finals
American comedian and actor Tracy Morgan participates in the ESPN pre-game show before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Frost Bank Center on June 3, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)
The absence stings.
Silver opened his pre-Finals news conference by rattling off Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, John Starks and Walt Frazier among the Kincks alumni active around the franchise during this postseason run. Oakley, a fixture on the 1990s Knicks teams that reached the 1994 Finals, has not been part of that group.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes this league so special is this family environment that we have,” Silver said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Silver on James Dolan-Charles Oakley feud during 2026 NBA Finals
