Knicks vs. Pacers: The 7 Biggest Moments in the Fiery NBA Feud

Ryan Berenz 35 seconds ago

Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers — Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are at it again.

The two teams are playing in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton hitting a shot at the buzzer to send the game to overtime and the Pacers pulling out the 138-135 win at Madison Square Garden.

In true Knicks-Pacers rivalry fashion, Pacers star Haliburton taunted the Knicks with a throwback to Reggie Miller’s “choke” gesture directed at Knicks superfan Spike Lee during Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.

Seems there’s plenty of fire left in the present-day rivalry. Take a look at the best Pacers-Knicks moments that set the stage for the heated 2025 rematch:

1Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds (May 7, 1995)

In the final 18.7 seconds of Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Reggie Miller scored eight points — two three-pointers, a steal, and two free throws — to stun the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It was an instant classic and cemented Miller as the Knicks’ ultimate nemesis.

2The Spike Lee Game (Game 5, 1994 Eastern Conference Finals)

With the series tied 2–2, Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter and jawed with Spike Lee courtside after every big shot. Miller’s “choke” gesture toward Lee became an iconic image of the era. Indiana won the game, though New York ultimately took the series in seven.

3Patrick Ewing’s Missed Finger Roll (Game 7, 1995 Eastern Semis)

With the Knicks trailing by two in the final seconds, Patrick Ewing missed a driving finger roll at the buzzer. The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, and the miss became one of the most haunting images in Knicks postseason history.

4Pacers Defeat Knicks to Reach NBA Finals (2000 Eastern Conference Finals)

After years of coming up short, Indiana finally broke through in 2000. Miller averaged 25 points in the series as the Pacers defeated the Knicks in six games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. It marked New York’s last deep playoff run for more than a decade.

5Knicks Reach Finals as No. 8 Seed (1999 Eastern Conference Finals)

In a strike-shortened season, the Knicks made an improbable run to the Finals. Despite losing Ewing to injury, New York defeated the Pacers in six games behind Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell. It was a rare postseason triumph for the Knicks over Miller and Indiana.

6The Game 7 Duel — Miller vs. Houston (1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals)

In the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the rivalry heated up again with a thrilling Game 7 in Indianapolis. Miller poured in 34 points, but the Knicks’ Houston kept pace with clutch shooting of his own. The game was a back-and-forth battle that ultimately went to the Knicks, ending the Pacers’ hopes that season.

7Larry Johnson’s 4-Point Play (Game 3, 1999 Eastern Conference Finals)

With the Knicks trailing by three and less than 12 seconds to play, Larry Johnson hit a three-pointer while drawing a foul from Antonio Davis. He knocked down the free throw, giving New York a one-point lead and sealing a stunning comeback win. Madison Square Garden erupted, and the moment instantly entered Knicks lore. It was the defining play of the series — and a rare dagger against Reggie and the Pacers.