The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks will meet in the semifinals of the 2024 Eastern Conference Championship. The Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round, while the Pacers ousted the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
The Pacers and Knicks played several spirited playoff series in the 1990s, splitting six series between 1993 and 2000. Reggie Miller, the Pacers' all-time leading scorer, was at the center of many of the best moments in those contentious battles.
Here are some great Pacers moments from this history:
“Hicks vs. Knicks”
Parts of the New York media are believed to have lumped the big-city/small-town element into the series, even though none of the Pacers' players at the time were home-born: Reggie Miller was born in the Los Angeles area; Verne Fleming in New York; Rick Smits in Holland. However, the team's fan base took it seriously, as Spike Lee was on the field in New York And Indianapolis and some Pacers fans are enjoying the atmosphere in business attire. Combine that with the low-scoring, rough-and-tumble style of play of the 1990s, and their six playoff appearances over an eight-year span have produced great intensity.
Great moments Pacers vs. Knicks in the playoffs
May 4, 1993: John Starks headbutts Reggie Miller
After losing the first two games of the best-of-5 series, the Pacers took control of Game 3 starting in the third quarter. Miller is on his way to 36 points and tells his New York counterpart John Starks all about it. On one trip to the stadium, Starks loses his temper and headbutts Miller. Starks gets ejected and Pacers win 116-93.
Miller feigned innocence: “What, am I talking trash? To the 41-41 team?” He said. “I was surprised that John did that right in front of the referee.”
more: Reggie Miller, the Oscar-winning American basketball player, has no regrets: “I said that?” I mean that'
June 1, 1994: Reggie Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter
The Pacers went into the fourth quarter 70-58, and big Knicks fan Spike Lee gave Miller the choke signal. Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 39 points and lead Indiana to a 93-86 victory, then Lee nailed the choke mark for all to see.
“He's their biggest fan, you can't blame him for that, but sometimes he opens his mouth too much and makes the other guys go,” Miller said after the game. “I think tonight was one of those nights.”
May 7, 1995: Reggie Miller scores 8 points in 8.9 seconds in the final seconds
The Pacers lead 105-99 with 18.7 seconds left when they shoot the ball at half court. then …
∎ Mark Jackson finds Miller on the left wing, who nails a 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left.
∎ Miller steals an errant inbounds pass and hits another 3 to tie the score with 13.2 seconds left.
∎ The Pacers fouled Knicks' John Starks on the inbounds pass, but he missed both free throws.
∎ New York's Patrick Ewing finished with an offensive rebound but missed, and Miller was fouled by Starks on the next rebound with 7.5 seconds left.
∎ Miller makes both free throws.
∎ The Knicks couldn't get a chance on the final possession, and the Pacers won 107-105.
“Realistically, I thought we had no chance (of winning),” Pacers coach Larry Brown said after the game. “But I won't tell them! Until it's over, you have to keep trying.”
“I never imagined it would end this way.”
more: Inside Madison Square Garden when Reggie Miller's eight points in 8.9 seconds reverberated around the world
May 21, 1995: Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead!
This may be the most memorable call in Mark Boyle's decades of calling Pacers games on the radio.
After losing tough playoff battles to the Knicks the past two years, the Pacers beat New York to reach their first conference final.
Indiana won Game 7 97-95 as Patrick Ewing missed an open finger roll to the basket in the final seconds, prompting Boyle to call.
May 10, 1998: Reggie Miller leads “Escape from New York”
Miller hits a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left in regulation to tie the score, and the Pacers go on to win Game 4 in overtime behind a 38-point lead. Indiana wins the series 4-1.
June 2, 2000: Pacers reach the NBA Finals for the first time
Reggie Miller scored 34 points as the Pacers pulled away from a tie after three quarters to win 93-80 and take the set 4-2. They lost the NBA Finals 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
May 18, 2013: Roy Hibbert meets Carmelo Anthony at the summit
With the Pacers shutting out the Knicks in Game 6 of the second round, Indiana center Roy Hibbert provided a lasting image by denying Carmelo Anthony's scoring attempt. Indiana won 106-99.
Pacers vs. Knicks playoff history
1993 Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks win 3-1 (best of 5 games)
1994 Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks win 4-3
1995 Eastern Conference semifinals: Pacers win 4-3
1998 Eastern Conference semifinals: Pacers win 4-1
1999 Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks win 4-2
2000 Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers win 4-2
2013 Eastern Conference semifinals: Pacers win 4-2
Pacers vs. Knicks playoff schedule
Monday 6 May: In New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Wednesday 8 May: In New York, 8 p.m., TNT
Friday, May 10: Indiana, 7 p.m., ESPN
Sunday 12 May: In Indiana, 3:30 p.m., ABC
To be determined later: in New York*
To be determined later: In Indiana*
To be determined later: in New York*
*-If necessary
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