Knicks vs. Pacers: Old Rivalry Rekindled
So, where to begin? There’s really a lot to unpack here. The Knicks and Pacers have clashed in the playoffs six times during the ’90s, and now, they’re reigniting this rivalry after both teams faced off in the Eastern Conference Finals.
There are plenty of reasons for this sense of revenge. There’s a palpable animosity, a stark contrast in playing styles, and, of course, a shared history that adds to the tension.
Double Revenge on the Horizon
Last year, the Knicks were sent packing by the Pacers in the second round. After jumping to a 2-0 series lead, they lost four out of five games, culminating in a Game 7 defeat at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks were hampered by injuries during that series. Key players like Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic were sidelined, while Mitchell Robinson could only participate in one game. Josh Hart also dealt with an abdominal injury.
Given these circumstances, many Knicks fans believe that luck played a role in last year’s outcome. But this time around, the Knicks are injury-free, and they have a chance to rectify their past mistakes.
It’s worth noting that the Pacers had previously eliminated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals during the 1999-2000 season, making this potential revenge even more significant.
A New Villain Emerges
Tyrese Halliburton isn’t quite on Reggie Miller’s level, but he’s definitely stepping into that villain role. After last year’s victory over the Knicks, he famously wore a shirt depicting Miller’s iconic gesture of suffocation during a post-game press conference.
The Pacers have a knack for getting under their opponents’ skin, particularly when playing at their home court, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the atmosphere can become quite electric.
Matching Styles Against the Pacers
Now, regarding the gameplay—facing the Pacers’ style is no easy task. They consistently push the pace, forcing opponents to move faster than they’re comfortable. In the regular season, the Pacers averaged 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, ranking seventh in the NBA, while the Knicks managed only 97.08, placing them near the bottom.
In the playoffs, the Pacers are averaging 99.3 possessions compared to the Knicks’ 95.3. Defensively, the Pacers often apply full-court pressure, rotating a deep bench of ten players, which helps keep them fresh throughout the game.
No single player has logged more than 34.1 minutes this postseason for the Pacers, while the Knicks’ starters regularly exceed that mark, limiting their rotation to just seven players on most nights.
Three-Point Shooting Competition
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Pacers have been exceptional, hitting 40.6% from beyond the arc, the best of all playoff teams. Meanwhile, the Knicks have struggled defensively against the three-point shot this postseason. For instance, they allowed the Celtics to shoot 44.9% in Game 5 but managed just 30.0% in Game 6.
As for the Knicks, they’ve had a mixed bag, shooting 35.8% from deep this postseason. Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to hit shots from long range has been critical for New York, particularly given their strong performance last year.
Old Friends Meet Again
Obi Toppin, once the Knicks’ number eight pick, was traded to the Pacers and has been a steady contributor for Indiana, averaging 8.5 points in just 16 minutes per game during the postseason. His speed has been an asset in the Pacers’ transition game.
A Cultural Clash
The rivalry has often been framed as “Hicks vs. Knicks,” symbolizing the contrast between the bustling urban life of New York City and the agricultural heartland of Indiana. It’s more than just a basketball rivalry—it’s a clash of cultures, from Wall Street to farmland, and the mystique of Madison Square Garden compared to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Let the hostilities commence!
