A new chapter is about to be added to the Knicks and Pacers’ crazy playoff history.
The Knicks defeated the Sixers in six games and Indiana shut out the hard-hitting Bucks on Thursday night, setting up a second-round matchup between Reggie Miller’s former NBA team and Obi Toppin’s current NBA team. .
The series opens with Games 1 and 2 at the Garden on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, followed by Game 3 on May 10th and Game 4 on May 12th in Indiana.
Here, the rivalry saw both teams meet in the postseason six times in eight seasons from 1993 to 2000, and one more memorable time in 2013.
ultimate villain
If you think MSG fans have been malicious towards Trae Young and Joel Embiid in recent playoffs, no one has embraced the villain role more than Pacers guard Reggie Miller.
Obviously, Michael Jordan and the Bulls also broke the Knicks’ hearts a few times back then, but Miller’s antics and tormenting the Knicks resulted in ESPN’s excellent 30 for 30 documentary on the subject.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs
His 25-point fourth quarter and chalk sign to Spike Lee in 1994 and eight points in nine seconds the following year will forever remain in Garden infamy.
LJ’s 4 point play
Perhaps the most memorable and singular moment in this rivalry that gave the Knicks an advantage was late in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Larry Johnson hit a 3-pointer to the left with 5.7 seconds left and Antonio That’s when Davis was fouled and the Knicks won. He contributed to a key victory to become the first No. 8 seed to advance to the NBA Finals.
In the playoff battle between the Knicks and Pacers. AP
Melo denied it.
Before beating the Cavaliers last season to advance, the only time the Knicks had advanced to the second round since 2000 was in 2013, when the Celtics were eliminated.
The Pacers defeated Mike Woodson’s 54-win Knicks in six games, with Indiana center Roy Hibbert denying Carmelo Anthony’s dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of Game 6, leading the Pacers to a 9-0 lead. The iconic moment that brought the series to a close came.
All-Star Point Guard Matchup
Fast forward to the present, speedy Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton versus Knicks breakout superstar Jalen Brunson should be a fascinating head-to-head over the next few weeks.
Haliburton, once called a “fake All-Star wannabe” by MSG analyst Wally Szczerbiak, was named to the 2024 U.S. Olympic team over Brunson.
Return of Obi
Toppin, a former Knicks lottery pick and Brooklyn native, was traded to the Pacers last summer. He was effectively slotted into the Knicks’ rotation by free agent signing Donte DiVincenzo.
The high-flying Toppin played about 17 minutes per game in the first round against the Bucks.
His younger brother, Jacob, sits at the back of the Knicks’ roster and is a largely underused player with zero postseason minutes.
