Pacers, Knicks to renew postseason rivalry
The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks will meet in the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals to renew a postseason rivalry that thrived in the 1990s.
The Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round, while the Pacers knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.
The Pacers and Knicks played several spirited playoff series in the ’90s, splitting six series between 1993-2000. Pacers all-time leading scorer Reggie Miller was at the center of many of the best moments from those contentious battles.
Here are some of the memorable moments from that history:
‘Hicks vs. Knicks’
Portions of the New York media are believed to have drummed up the big city/small town element to the series, though none of the Pacers’ players at the time were homegrown: Reggie Miller was born in the Los Angeles area; Vern Fleming in New York; Rik Smits in the Netherlands.
However, the teams’ fanbases took it to heart, as Spike Lee was courtside in New York and Indianapolis, and some Pacers fans reveled in the atmosphere by dressing in overalls. Combine that with the low-scoring, rough-and-tumble style of play in the 1990s, and their six playoff matchups in an eight-year span produced great intensity.
Great Pacers moments vs. Knicks in playoffs
May 4, 1993: Starks headbutts Miller
After losing the first two games of the best-of-5 series, the Pacers controlled Game 3 starting in the third quarter. Miller was on his way to 36 points and telling his New York counterpart, John Starks, all about it. On one trip down the court, Starks lost his cool and headbutted Miller. Starks was ejected, and the
Pacers won 116-93.
Miller feigned innocence: “What, me trash-talk? For a 41-41 team?” he said. “I was surprised John did that right in front of the ref.”
June 1, 1994: Miller scores 25 points in the fourth quarter
The Pacers trailed 70-58 entering the fourth quarter, and Knicks super fan Spike Lee was giving Miller a choke sign. Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 39 and lead Indiana to a 93-86 victory, then he repayed Lee with a choke sign for everyone to see.
“He’s their biggest fan, and you can’t fault him for that, but sometimes he opens his mouth a little too much and gets the other guys going,” Miller said postgame. “I think tonight was one of those nights.”
May 7, 1995: Miller scores eight points in 8.9 seconds
The Pacers trailed 105-99 with 18.7 seconds remaining as they inbounded the ball at halfcourt. Then ...
Mark Jackson found Miller at the left wing, where he drained a 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left.
Miller stole an errant inbounds pass and hit another 3 to tie the score with 13.2 seconds left.
The Pacers fouled Starks on the inbound pass, but he missed both free throws.
New York’s Patrick Ewing wound up with the offensive rebound but missed, and Miller was fouled by Starks on the ensuing rebound with 7.5 seconds to go.
Miller made both free throws.
The Knicks didn’t get a shot on their final possession, and the Pacers won 107-105.
“Realistically, I thought we had no chance (of winning),” Pacers coach Larry Brown said postgame. “But I ain’t gonna tell them! Until it’s over, you’ve got to keep trying.
“I never imagined it would turn out this way.”
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 hard-fought playoff battles to the Knicks the previous two years, the Pacers beat New York to reach their first conference finals.
Indiana won Game 7 97-95 as Ewing missed an open finger roll at the basket in the closing seconds, prompting Boyle’s call.
May 10, 1998: Miller leads ‘Escape from New York’
Miller hits a 3-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to tie the score, and the Pacers went on to win Game 4 in overtime behind his 38 points. Indiana won the series 4-1.
June 2, 2000: Pacers make their first NBA Finals
Miller scored 34 points as the Pacers broke away from a tie score after three quarters to win 93-80 and win the series 4-2. They lost the NBA Finals 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
May 18, 2013: Hibbert meets Carmelo Anthony at the top
As the Pacers closed out the Knicks in Game 6 of the second round, Indiana center Roy Hibbert provided a lasting image by denying Carmelo Anthony’s dunk attempt. Indiana won 106-99.