The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are set to kick off Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. This matchup adds yet another page to their extensive playoff rivalry.
From 1993 to 2000, the Knicks and Pacers faced off in six playoffs, marked by fiery moments between players and fans alike.
Let’s revisit some memorable highlights from their heated encounters over the years.
Headbutt Incident
In the first round of the 1993 NBA playoffs, the Knicks were ahead 2-0 when tensions flared in the third quarter. Knicks guard John Starks, in a moment of frustration, headbutted Reggie Miller after scoring.
This incident led to Starks being ejected from the game, which the Pacers seized to win Game 3. However, the Knicks would go on to win Game 4 and, ultimately, the series. This headbutt, though, really cemented the rivalry.
Chalk Gesture
The two teams met again in 1994 for the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks aimed to take a 3-2 lead in Game 5, leading 70-58 in the third quarter.
In a stunning turnaround, Miller scored an impressive 25 points in the fourth quarter, engaging in a back-and-forth with Knicks superfan Spike Lee. Miller made a memorable chalk gesture during this game, yet even with his performance, the Knicks would secure the series in seven games and advance to the NBA Finals.
An Incredible Comeback
In the 1995 playoffs, the Knicks and Pacers clashed yet again, this time in the Eastern Conference semifinal. With only 16 seconds left in Game 1 and the Knicks leading 105-99, Miller orchestrated one of the most remarkable comebacks. He scored eight points in just nine seconds, including a crucial 3-pointer after stealing an inbound pass.
Miller’s free throws then secured a 107-105 lead for the Pacers, allowing them to win the series in a full seven games.
Larry Johnson’s Four-Point Play
The rivalry continued in the 1998 Eastern Conference semi-finals, where the Pacers were favored to win due to Knicks star Patrick Ewing’s wrist injury. The Pacers took the series in five games. However, when they met again in the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, it was a different story. The Knicks managed to win the series in six games.
One of the series’ highlights was a dramatic moment in Game 3 when Larry Johnson hit a 3-pointer while being fouled, converting a rare four-point play that ultimately secured a narrow victory.
Another Epic Showdown
Fast forward to the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals—this time, the Pacers were able to extract revenge for their past losses, winning the series in six games. They didn’t meet in the playoffs again until 2013, when new stars led the teams. The Paul George-led Pacers defeated the Carmelo Anthony-led Knicks in six games.
They wouldn’t clash again in the playoffs until last year, when the Pacers, showing remarkable shooting, defeated a struggling Knicks team in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The Pacers set an NBA playoff record with a stunning 67.1% shooting in Game 7, winning decisively 130-109.
Overall, in playoff matchups, the Pacers have a 5-3 series record against the Knicks, with a playoff history tallying 26-22 in favor of the Pacers.
