Pacers-Knicks: Revisiting the teams' all-time playoff history

ByESPN Staff ESPN logo
Sunday, May 19, 2024

There is no shortage of memorable moments when the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks face off in the postseason.

The two teams have met eight times in the NBA playoffs, six of which were between 1993 and 2000. Indiana has come out on top in the series five times. There have been six instances where a series between the two has gone at least six games, including three Game 7s.

Each of those meetings have included iconic moments, and their most recent matchup was no exception.

Reggie Miller made his return to Madison Square Garden during Game 2 this season, broadcasting for TNT. Spike Lee, who taunted the Pacers guard during one of Miller's most memorable performances, brought gifts for the Hall of Famer.

Miller had strong comments before the game, but as the night wound down with New York on top, the Knicks fans let him hear it.

Facing an 0-2 deficit, Indiana turned it around in Game 3. Andrew Nembhard's deep 3-pointer propelled the Pacers to a win before a dominant blowout in Game 4 tied the series at 2. In Game 5, Donte DiVincenzo and Myles Turner butted heads in the third quarter, resulting in double technicals and candid postgame comments from DiVincenzo.

"They're trying to be tough guys, and that's not their identity -- nobody is going to fight in the NBA. ... You're not a tough guy," DiVincenzo said.

Indiana got the hot hand early on Sunday, scoring 39 first-quarter points, the most by any team in a first quarter of a Game 7 in NBA history, and never looked back. The Pacers had the highest field goal percentage in any playoff game in NBA history (67.1%) to eliminate the Knicks in a decisive 130-109 Game 7 victory.

With this series in the rearview mirror, here's a look at other notable playoff moments between the two.

Miller time

A year before he scored eight points in 8.9 seconds, Miller orchestrated a remarkable comeback against the Knicks in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals.

New York held a 12-point lead during the fourth quarter with Spike Lee sitting courtside. The filmmaker was trash-talking to Miller, who only had 14 points.

Miller had the last laugh, scoring 25 points in the fourth and leading Indiana to a win. Many of Miller's buckets were punctuated by a look and words for Lee, who was ridiculed by New York media for his role in the comeback. The Pacers guard also famously performed a "choke" pose toward Lee.

Eight points in 8.9 seconds

With 18.7 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, a New York win seemed inevitable. The Knicks were up by six and on defense. All they had to do was get a stop, or if the Pacers scored, inbound the ball, force a foul and hit free throws to seal the victory.

Then Miller happened. He hit a 3-pointer, stole the inbounds pass from Anthony Mason, then dribbled beyond the 3-point line and swished a jumper to tie the score. The Pacers then fouled John Starks, who missed both free throws. Miller was fouled as he grabbed the board and converted his free throws for the lead with 7.5 remaining.

Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds, stealing a 107-105 win and shocking the New York crowd. It came a year after the Knicks eliminated the Pacers in 7 games, fueling the rivalry.

Ewing keeps Knicks alive

Patrick Ewing is at the forefront of positive and negative Knicks memories against the Pacers. Two games before missing a game-winning layup in Game 7 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, Ewing hit a clutch basket to extend the series.

New York faced a 3-1 deficit and potential elimination at home. Though Ewing shot 38% from the field, he saved his best for last. His layup with 1.8 seconds remaining kept the Knicks' postseason alive.

A 4-point play for the ages

Facing each other for the fourth time since 1993, New York had one of the bigger moments in franchise playoff history during the 1999 Eastern Conference finals.

Down by one with less than 10 seconds remaining, Larry Johnson hit a 3-pointer while being fouled to set up a 4-point play. Johnson converted the opportunity and the Knicks secured a one-point win.

Hibbert denies Anthony

In 2013, New York and Indiana were reunited in the Eastern Conference semifinals, making it their first postseason meeting since 2000. The Pacers had a chance of closing out the series at home in Game 6, and a Roy Hibbert block played a key role in the win.

With 5:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, Carmelo Anthony drove the baseline with the Knicks up by two points. Hibbert met Anthony at the rim, denying his dunk.

The play sparked a Pacers 16-7 run and the Knicks didn't score for almost three minutes, leading to a 106-99 loss and elimination.


ESPN Stats and Information contributed to this story.

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