The New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers rivalry will continue tonight as the two teams will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. The history between the two teams began in 1993, and in this article, we’ll take a look at each series, showcasing the best moments of the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers rivalry.
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The Knicks and Pacers have met eight times in the postseason, with Indiana winning five series. Here’s a breakdown of each series.
1993 First Round (3-1 Knicks)
The Knicks were one of the best teams in the NBA during the early to mid-1990s. They certainly were among the best in the East, usually only behind the Chicago Bulls.
In 1993, New York had the best record in the East at 60-22. The Pacers were still trying to find their identity as a team, finishing as the eighth seed with a 41-41 record.
New York was supposed to have an easy time with Indiana, but, despite their 3-1 series victory, nothing came easy for the Knicks. The Pacers fought hard and got under the Knicks skin, especially in Game 3, when John Starks headbutted Reggie Miller.
Miller would prove to be a thorn in New York’s side from then on. This was never more true than in their next postseason matchup.
1994 Conference Finals (4-3 Knicks)
Michael Jordan was out of the NBA, meaning the Eastern Conference was the Knicks’ for the taking. The problem was the young and hungry Pacers wanted a piece of the pie.
Despite some solid play against the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks in the previous two rounds, no one gave Indiana a chance to win. After the first two games in New York, those chances grew slimmer.
The Pacers would rebound and win the following two games in Indiana tying the series at 2-2. After three quarters in Game 5 back in New York, the series looked to shift back into the Knicks’ favor.
New York led 70-58 heading into the fourth quarter, and Miller was having an off night for the Pacers. This led the Knicks’ number one fan, director Spike Lee, to talk trash to Miller… this ignited a fire inside Miller.
The Pacers’ sharpshooter went off in the fourth, scoring 25 points and leading the Pacers back to a 93-86 victory. The entire time Miller scored, he famously taunted Lee.
This incident made Miller into a star. Unfortunately for Indiana, they would lose the next two games and the series in seven games.
1995 Conference Semifinals (4-3 Pacers)
The very next year, Miller would add another historical performance against the Knicks. This time, he wasted no time, opting for greatness in Game 1.
Miller did the uunthinkable. With the Pacers trailing 105-99 with 18.9 seconds remaining, Miller used his magic.
The Pacers shooting guard hit a three and then proceeded to steal the ball before hitting a second three, tying the game. What happened next is often forgotten.
Sam Mitchell of the Pacers forgot the score as he believed Indiana still trailed, so he fouled John Starks, who shockingly missed both free throws. Patrick Ewing grabbed the offensive rebound and put up a short shot that missed.
Miller grabbed the next board and was fouled. He would hit his free throws, giving the Pacers the 107-105 victory.
The series would go to another Game 7, this time with the Pacers winning after Ewing missed a point blank layup as time wound down. Indiana finally got a series win in this brewing rivalry.
1998 Conference Semifinals (4-1 Pacers)
After two years off, the rivalry resumed in the 1998 Semifinals. For the first time in their matchup, Indiana was the favorite to win and held the homecourt advantage.
The Pacers proved to be the better team, as they didn’t have much problem with the Knicks, winning 4-1. Miller did add another clutch moment against the Knicks to his resume in Game 4.
The Pacers trailed 102-99 with less than 10 seconds remaining, until Miller buried the tying three in front of Spike Lee. Indiana, led by Miller, who scored seven points in overtime, won 118-107.
1999 Conference Finals (4-2 Knicks)
The 1998-99 season was supposed to belong to the Pacers. Once again, Michael Jordan was out of the league and Indiana was clearly the best team in the East.
This was Miller and the Pacers best shot at a title. After not losing a game during the first two rounds of the playoffs, things were looking to fall into place for the Pacers.
Indiana met the eighth seeded Knicks in the Conference Finals, but their luck had to run out. Right?
Wrong.
The Knicks, led by a phantom four-point play by Larry Johnson in Game 3, helped the Knicks shock the Pacers. Indiana seemingly disappeared as a team in this series, unfortunately led by their star, Miller, who scored just eight points in a must-win Game 6.
2000 Conference Finals (4-2 Pacers)
The two teams met in the exact same spot again the next season. Once more, the Pacers were the favorites and this time, they’d deliver.
This time in Game 6, with a chance to reach the NBA Finals, Miller went off for 34 points. He scored 17 in the fourth on 3-4 shooting and 3-3 from three.
The Pacers reached their only NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Could this season be their second trip?
2013 Conference Semifinals (4-2 Pacers)
The rivalry died down as the main cast of players retired and the two teams often struggled to find success. In 2013, the teams met again, but the intensity of the previous series wasn’t quite there.
Still, a Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul George matchup certainly was enticing. The Knicks held the homecourt advantage and were the favorites, but that didn’t matter to the Pacers.
Indiana, led by George, outdueled Melo’s Knicks. It seemed as if maybe the rivalry could blossom, but it would take 11 more years before the two met in the postseason again.
2024 Conference Semifinals (4-3 Pacers)
In 2024 Tyrese Haliburton was leading the Pacers in the playoffs and the Jalen Brunson-led Knicks got in their way. It was the Semifinals and the Knicks, once again, held the homecourt.
Once more, it didn’t matter. The Pacers outlasted the Knicks in seven games, with Haliburton leading the way with 26 points in Game 7.
The New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers rivalry resumes tonight with the Knicks holding the homecourt advantage once again. Will New York finally rise up and defeat Indiana, punching their first trip to the Finals since 1999?
Or will the Pacers ignore the New York crowd, adding another playoff series victory over the Knicks? The Pacers could punch their own first trip back to the Finals since 2000.
Game 1 is at 8:00 PM EST.
