The Knicks and Pacers renew their fiery NBA playoff rivalry in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the winner headed to the 2025 NBA Finals.
This is Round 9 of their playoff saga, with Indiana leading the series 5-3 in postseason history.
Jalen Brunson vs. Tyrese Haliburton adds modern heat to this classic 1990s grudge match.
A WWE-style faceoff last summer set the stage for playoff drama and entertainment.
Karl-Anthony Towns shines for the Knicks and could face his former Timberwolves if both reach the Finals.
Game 1 tips off Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden
Knicks Pacers NBA Playoff Rivalry Reignites: Classic Clash Heads to Round 9 with Finals Berth on the Line
Title (60 characters):
Knicks Pacers NBA Playoff Rivalry Hits Fever Pitch in Game 1
Meta Description (160 characters):
The Knicks and Pacers renew their epic NBA playoff rivalry in Round 9, with Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton battling for a Finals berth in 2025.
WWE Drama Meets NBA Legacy as Knicks and Pacers Clash Again
Madison Square Garden is about to ignite with basketball fury, as the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers go head-to-head in the Eastern Conference Finals. This isn’t just another playoff series—it’s Round 9 of a blood-soaked, highlight-packed rivalry that dates back three decades.
This time, the stakes are sky-high. The winner heads to the NBA Finals, while the loser is left with nothing but bruises and memories.
Brunson vs. Haliburton: From WWE Rings to NBA Spotlight
Last summer, in a surreal crossover moment that felt more like Monday Night Raw than NBA Media Day, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton faced off in a WWE ring. Steel chairs. Brass knuckles. Ice-cold stares. The message was clear: this rivalry is bigger than basketball.
Haliburton and the Pacers shocked the Knicks in Game 7 last year, torching them with a record-breaking 67.1% shooting display. Haliburton, ever the showman, rocked a Reggie Miller “choke” sweatshirt in the postgame presser—trolling Knicks fans with painful precision.
Now? He’s back. And this time, Brunson is ready.
A Rivalry Forged in the Fires of the ’90s
You can’t talk about Knicks-Pacers without invoking the ghosts of the 1990s.
John Starks. Reggie Miller. Spike Lee. Chokes. Headbutts. Brawls. Six playoff series in eight years made these two franchises sworn enemies.
Indiana leads the playoff tally 5-3, but New York owns the edge in conference finals: 1994 and 1999 went to the Knicks, while the Pacers punched through in 2000.
Now, 25 years later, the Knicks are finally back in the Eastern Finals—and the old enemy awaits.
Towns Turns the Tide in 2025
Karl-Anthony Towns, traded from the Timberwolves just before the season, has been a game-changer for New York. Averaging 30.3 points and 12 rebounds in regular-season matchups vs. Indiana, Towns is a beast in the paint and a matchup nightmare.
This series could lead to a wild reunion in the Finals if the Thunder and Timberwolves series ends in Minnesota’s favor. But Towns isn’t looking ahead.
“We’ve got to get there first,” he said. “Step by step.”
Smart words—but Towns is clearly playing like a man on a mission.
Haliburton’s Moment? Or Brunson’s Revenge?
There’s no question that Tyrese Haliburton loves the spotlight. His Game 7 masterpiece last year? Iconic. His Garden trolling? Legendary. And this postseason? He’s been red-hot, helping Indiana crush the top-seeded Cavaliers in just five games.
But Jalen Brunson has evolved. He’s stronger, smarter, and hungrier. After injuries derailed last year’s Knicks squad, Brunson has carried New York with clutch scoring and unshakeable leadership.
The NBA Finals await the winner, and both of these stars know it. This won’t be just a battle of teams—it’ll be a duel between point guards with something to prove.
Reggie Miller Still Looms Over MSG
Just in case the drama needed more fuel, Reggie Miller will be courtside, working the series as a TNT analyst. The man who tormented the Knicks for a decade—including his infamous “8 points in 9 seconds”—will be a constant reminder of the pain Knicks fans know all too well.
Will he witness another Pacers heartbreak? Or a long-awaited Knicks breakthrough?
Knicks vs. Pacers: What to Watch For
1. The Haliburton Factor
If Tyrese gets rolling early, the Knicks could be in trouble. He’s lethal from deep and an elite playmaker.
2. Towns Inside Game
Indiana doesn’t have a great matchup for KAT. If he’s aggressive and physical, he could tilt the series.
3. Battle of the Benches
The Knicks have depth and grit. The Pacers play with wild speed and chaos. Bench production will swing games.
4. Madison Square Garden Vibes
The crowd will be electric. Loud. Ruthless. Desperate. It’s been 25 years since the Knicks reached the Finals. Expect playoff pandemonium.
Pacers’ Wild Turnaround: From 10-15 to Eastern Power
On December 8, the Pacers were just 10-15, their season teetering. Since then? They’ve gone 48-19, including playoffs. Coach Rick Carlisle has this team playing fast, free, and fearless, and it’s worked beautifully.
If they steal Game 1, this series could flip instantly.
Knicks-Pacers: The Legacy Continues
The year is 2025, but this feels like 1995 all over again. Old school hatred. New school heroes. One ticket to the Finals. One bitter rival in the way.
The Knicks-Pacers NBA playoff rivalry isn’t just alive—it’s thriving. With new faces and old wounds, this showdown is set to rewrite history and spark a new generation of epic moments.
Game 1 tips off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Grab your popcorn. The war is back.
