George Kalinsky, an award-winning photographer who captured iconic events at Madison Square Garden for more than 50 years, died Thursday. He was 88.
The New York Knicks honored Kalinsky with a moment of silence before Friday night’s game, with MSG PA announcer Mike Walczewski telling the crowd, “He was a giant in the world of photography and an integral part of the history of Madison Square Garden.”
Some of Kalinsky’s most famous work featured the Knicks, including his iconic image of injured star Willis Reed walking out on the court for Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, before the team won the title. But after becoming the official MSG photographer in 1966, he also captured a litany of other images from the building’s rich history, including Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s “Fight of the Century” in 1971, the New York Rangers winning the Stanley Cup in 1994, John Lennon’s final live performance, Pope John Paul II’s 1979 visit, and several national political conventions. He also served as the New York Mets’ photographer.
Here’s a tribute the Knicks aired to Kalinsky Friday:
From The Lens Of George Kalinsky https://t.co/dXmhX9Ytqu pic.twitter.com/HKx6FGZdum
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 17, 2025
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau warmly remembered Kalinsky before Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I just heard and my condolences go out to his family,” Thibodeau said (via The New York Post). “Just a wonderful man. So great at what he did. He captured so many big moments at the Garden.
“On top of that, just who he was as a person, he always made everybody feel good, and you can’t say anything more about a person. He was just a great, great guy and a fantastic photographer. And the way he captured everything that happened here was really special.”
A native of Hempstead, New York, Kalinsky won many honors, including International Photographer of the Year in 2001.
Kalinsky’s sports media colleagues and fans paid tribute to him on social media.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary photographer George Kalinsky. For more than 50 years, George was synonymous with Madison Square Garden – there wasn’t a single important moment at The World’s Most Famous Arena that George didn’t capture. Our thoughts are… pic.twitter.com/l4tYPHZ5dj
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) January 18, 2025
“If I draw this to be the perfect picture, this is what I would draw…This is the best picture I’ve taken”
–– RIP George Kalinsky pic.twitter.com/18S7EjigNQ
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) January 17, 2025
The St. John’s Basketball community is saddened by the passing of photographer George Kalinsky.
For more than 50 years, George Kalinsky told the stories of @TheGarden and the entertainment world from behind his lens. These iconic photos of our very own Lou Carnesecca were frozen… pic.twitter.com/JlfBA5AORZ
— St. John’s Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) January 18, 2025
George Kalinsky captured so many important moments at Madison Square Garden it could break my brain thinking about it.
My favorite, was his favorite.
And he printed the most spectacular piece for me of it.
I will always be grateful for him sharing his stories with me.… pic.twitter.com/Qidi1SL6nF
— Chase Jordan (@goatcollect) January 17, 2025