Pacers and Knicks renew NBA playoff rivalry in Eastern Conference Finals

Wed, May 21, 2025 at 6:21 AM

INDIANAPOLIS - It's doesn't get much better than Pacers vs. Knicks in the NBA playoffs.

The teams will renew their storied rivalry in the Eastern Conference Finals, which tip off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

As the third seed, the Knicks hold home-court advantage over the fourth-seeded Pacers. New York won two of the three games in the regular season, beating the Pacers at home and on the road. They last met in February, when the Knicks topped the Pacers 128-115 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

This marks the ninth time the two franchises have met in the postseason. The series represents a playoff rematch from last year, when the Pacers upset the Knicks in seven games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

But the Knicks are a much different team, having added Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges in the offseason, giving them additional offensive firepower alongside star Jalen Brunson.

"They've retooled their team to get to this position and beyond," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of the Knicks. "It's a big challenge."

Carlisle's message to his team is to "play hard" and "play together." He knows the Pacers will be in a hostile environment.

"This is a great time of year. This is a great opportunity," Carlisle said. "This is a matchup that has history. Madison Square Garden as an environment is one of the best and most challenging in the league."

Do-it-all forward Aaron Nesmith also recognized the playoff history between the two teams.

"It's a historic rivalry. It's an honor to be a part of it and add our own chapter to the story," Nesmith said. "It's going to be fun-I think everyone here is excited for it. We've been waiting for a week to get it tipped off, so everyone's glad that it's here."

"I think last year the series was a lot of fun back and forth," said star guard Tyrese Haliburton. "I look forward to playing in that building and I look forward to the crowd environment."

The Pacers are back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row. Last year was a complete surprise, as the team entered the postseason as a sixth seed. They can't afford to waste the opportunity.

"Being in the Eastern Conference Finals is always amazing-something that we can't take for granted," said All-Star Pascal Siakam. "We do have a good opportunity for us, we've got to focus just one game at a time and be present in the moment."

"We understand coming back to the conference finals two years in a row, we understand how hard it is and how much effort it takes and how deep into the season we're playing," Nesmith added. "You look in the moment, you're thankful for it, you're happy for it, but the job's not done."

Rebounding will be a key in the series. During the regular season, New York outrebounded Indiana by a 130-101 margin. Getting on the glass is essential for the Pacers to limit the Knicks' offensive possessions and play their fast-paced style of offense.

"If we're able to get stops and finish every possession with a rebound, that's the most important thing," Haliburton said. "Their points per possession go way up when as they grab more and more [offensive] rebounds. If we can try to hold them to one possession as much as we can, rebound and run, we'll feel good. We've got to be able to rebound. That's the biggest thing."

Nesmith said it's vital for the Pacers to start off fast and control the pace.

"Getting off to good starts. Playing our game, worrying about us," Nesmith said. "Understanding that all we have in the building is our group and using that to ride the line and get momentum."

Game 1 tips at 8 p.m. on TNT. Here's the schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals: