The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, bringing a renewed interest to the ongoing beef between team owner James Dolan and Knicks great and Real Housewives of Atlanta husband Charles Oakley.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was asked about tensions between Oakley, 62, and Dolan, 71, before Game 1 on Wednesday, June 3, where he admitted he recently tried to mediate the drama between the two, even turning to arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time for help.
“It is a shame, in that I tried, Michael Jordan tried too, to broker peace between Charles and Jim Dolan,” Silver, 64, said in a press conference. “Our efforts were unsuccessful. I think it’s unfortunate for the NBA that this is an ongoing situation.”
The feud between Oakley and Dolan stems from Oakley’s ejection from Madison Square Garden during a game in 2017. During the incident, Oakley allegedly yelled at Dolan repeatedly. As Oakley was being led out of the arena, video showed him shoving MSG officials as he was led away from his seat.
Oakley subsequently sued Dolan and Madison Square Garden Entertainment for assault and defamation.
“Yes, I understand that he was a big star and a Knick, et cetera, but that doesn’t excuse people from that kind of behavior,” Dolan said in an appearance on The Michael Kay Show days after the incident, adding that Oakley’s ban isn’t “necessarily” for life.
The ongoing legal proceedings, however, have limited what the NBA could do to help the two mend fences.
“As you know, it’s currently wrapped up in litigation,” Silver added on Wednesday. “I tried my best. So I don’t really see anything else I can do at the moment.”
Oakley, a fan favorite, played 10 seasons for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998 and was a member of New York’s 1994 NBA Finals team, the same year he was an All-Star and member of the NBA’s all-defensive team. More recently, he has appeared on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, alongside his wife, Angela, who joined the cast in 2025.
The 2026 Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will shift to New York for Game 3 on Monday, June 8. Throughout the playoffs, Knicks legends have appeared in the stands, supporting their former team, including Patrick Ewing, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Allan Houston and more. Oakley has been a noticeable absence.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes this league so special is this family environment that we have,” Silver said.
Oakley, for his part, has not backed down from his criticism of Dolan.
“I mean that guy, he’s a bully over there,” Oakley said in a Monday, June 1 appearance on The Jim Rome Show. “He running the plantation. I mean everything he do is a plantation move.”
The Knicks defeated the Spurs, 105-95, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Game 2 will take place in San Antonio on Friday, June 5.
