Knicks and Pacers Clash in Eastern Conference Finals: Full Schedule Inside!

The New York Knicks are set to take on the Indiana Pacers tonight in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden, and honestly, the excitement is palpable. This marks the Knicks' first trip to the Eastern Conference finals in a whopping 25 years, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner of this series will earn a coveted spot in the NBA Finals, and you know both teams are hungry for that.

Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers' star guard, summed it up perfectly: "It's obviously a storied rivalry between the two franchises, so to add another chapter to it is going to be a lot of fun." And he’s not wrong. Last year, when these two teams met in the playoffs, it was a wild ride. The Pacers took Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, shooting an insane 67.1% from the field, which is an NBA playoff record. Haliburton dropped 26 points that night and even showed up to his post-game presser wearing a sweatshirt featuring Reggie Miller making a choke gesture towards Knicks fan Spike Lee. Talk about a throwback!

Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' point guard, acknowledged the rivalry's intensity, saying, "Obviously, Knicks fans and Pacers fans, they go back and forth. But I think he did a great job with it last year, but now we're moving on." It’s true; the history between these teams is rich, dating back to a 1993 series where John Starks got ejected for head-butting Miller. The last time they faced off in the playoffs was in 2000, when the Pacers knocked the Knicks out in the Eastern Conference finals.

This time around, it’s a bit of a surprise. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics were the top dogs in the East, but the Knicks managed to oust the defending champions, while the Pacers took down the top-seeded Cavaliers in just five games. Now, here we are with the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds squaring off. Who would’ve thought?

Things have changed, though. Brunson and Haliburton are actually friends now, having played together on the U.S. team during the 2023 Basketball World Cup. But don’t forget, Reggie Miller will be in the building, working as an analyst for TNT, so the ghosts of Knicks-Pacers past will definitely be present.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns weighed in on the rivalry, saying, "There was definitely a sense of hatred for each other. So I think that makes a good rivalry. They have a history of finding a way to end each other's season, so it's up to us now to add our names into history and see what we do." You can feel the tension already!

For fans looking to catch the action, there won’t be an outdoor watch party for Game 1, but you can snag $10 tickets for a watch party inside Radio City Music Hall. It’s not quite the same as being at the Garden, but hey, it’s better than nothing!

On a side note, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a warning to fans about ticket scams. "As the Knicks continue their incredible run, I understand the excitement and pride fans across New York are feeling — it's electric," she said. "But I want to remind everyone: don't let that excitement make you a target. Be cautious when buying tickets and only use trusted sources. Scammers are out there, and we won't let them take advantage of our fans." Wise words, for sure.

In the playoffs so far, the Knicks eliminated the Detroit Pistons in six games and then took down the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, ending Boston's championship reign after just one year. Meanwhile, the Pacers made quick work of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and then shocked the Cavaliers in the second round, leading all playoff teams in field goal shooting (50.1%), 3-point shooting (40.6%), and assists per game (29.7). They’re not just here to play; they’re here to dominate.

This fierce playoff rivalry from the 90s is back, and it’s a bit unexpected, considering the Knicks and Pacers finished behind Cleveland and Boston in the standings. This will be the ninth playoff matchup between these franchises, with Indiana holding a 5-3 edge. That includes the Pacers' victory in the 2000 Eastern Conference finals, the last time the Knicks made it this far, and their win last year when they took the series in seven games.

When it comes to key matchups, keep an eye on Brunson and Haliburton, but also don’t sleep on Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, and T.J. McConnell. The two point guards are the headline names, but Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has mentioned all those players as potential defenders for Brunson, who played under him in Dallas before becoming a superstar in New York.

And let’s not forget about the potential for an NBA Finals matchup between the Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks made a blockbuster trade before the preseason, acquiring Towns by sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota. But Towns isn’t getting ahead of himself. "We've got to get there first," he said. "I ain't going to worry about something that we're not there yet. Step by step." Wise words from the big man.