May, 28 2025
A Deep Dive Into Knicks-Pacers Rivalry: Ranking Every Chapter
If you’re talking about playoff drama, the Knicks-Pacers rivalry tops the list for sheer unpredictability and tension. These two teams have gone head-to-head eight times over the years, and nearly every chapter has added fire to a feud that just won’t cool off. Basketball fans know: anything can—and usually does—happen when these teams square off in the postseason.
Let’s wind the clock back to 1995. That Eastern Conference semifinals series still sits at the throne—thanks to Reggie Miller's unforgettable assault on the Knicks and, more specifically, Spike Lee. With only seconds on the clock, Miller scored eight points in nine seconds, giving the Pacers a win that still stings at Madison Square Garden. The image of Miller jawing with Lee from courtside seats is impossible to forget. But that series wasn’t just about the finish: the games were brutally close, tempers flared constantly, and every possession felt life-or-death for both fanbases.
Right behind 1995, you find the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. This one’s famous for another Miller-Lee showdown: the infamous head-butting incident. Miller, fueled by Lee’s trash talk, got tangled up—emotionally and literally—with the Knicks crowd and players. Fisticuffs nearly erupted more than once. The play on the floor matched the intensity off it, with physical defense and hard fouls becoming the norm. The Knicks took the series, but not before a bruising seven-game marathon.
Move to 1999, and controversy was the headline. The Knicks clawed their way through a lockout-shortened season, then met Indiana in the Eastern Finals. This string of games swung on a handful of calls and a couple of lucky bounces, leaving Pacers fans stewing about phantom whistles for years after. Still, the Knicks made it to the Finals—a run that remains legendary for their underdog story and scrappy persona, all forged in the heat of the Pacers rivalry.
Fast forward to 2024, and the rivalry had a new cast but the same old drama. Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton took the lead roles this time. Brunson was everywhere, hitting the most clutch buckets across the league that playoffs—14 in total when the game was on the line. Haliburton, cool under pressure, knocked down four of his own in the final minute, helping keep the Pacers in the mix. What set this series apart was the resilience on both sides. Both teams erased 20-point deficits in the postseason, proving that no game was ever over until the final buzzer. Every contest felt like a coin flip, and the clutch gene was on full display for both squads.
The Rivalry Marches On: 2025 and Beyond
Now, in the thick of the 2025 East Finals, the tradition continues. This installment already has its share of jaw-dropping moments—late-game heroics, end-to-end runs, and wild swings in momentum. The Knicks, still fueled by Brunson’s fearless play, remain dangerous in any close finish. Meanwhile, Haliburton continues to give Pacers fans hope every time the ball finds his hands late. You could argue this series is shaping up to be the rivalry’s most breathtaking yet, especially when you consider the level of unpredictability so far—no lead is safe, and every mistake gets magnified under the bright lights.
What makes this rivalry different? It never rests. Between the courtside characters, unforgettable shots, and now a new generation of clutch stars, the Knicks and Pacers keep finding ways to write new chapters no one saw coming. As long as they keep meeting in the playoffs, basketball fans can expect more wild rides and debate about which battle was the best—and who really owns bragging rights.