Knicks & Pacers Reignite Rivalry in Eastern Conference Finals Face-Off

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are set to clash in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking the Knicks’ first trip to this stage in 25 years. Game 1 kicks off tonight at Madison Square Garden, reigniting one of the NBA’s most memorable rivalries.

Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. (Terms and conditions).

This unexpected matchup between the No. 3 seed Knicks and No. 4 seed Pacers comes after both teams defied expectations in the postseason. The Knicks took down Detroit in the opening round and then stunned the defending champion Boston Celtics in six games. Meanwhile, the Pacers made quick work of Milwaukee and then blew past top-seeded Cleveland in just five games.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE. 

Indiana enters the series red hot, leading the NBA playoffs in field goal percentage (50.1%), three-point shooting (40.6%), and assists per game (29.7). Tyrese Haliburton, who dropped 26 points during last year’s Game 7 win over New York at Madison Square Garden, has emerged as the face of the Pacers. That game, where Indiana shot a playoff-record 67.1%, ended the Knicks’ run early and added fuel to the historic rivalry.

Though friendly off the court—they were teammates for Team USA in the 2023 Basketball World Cup—Haliburton and Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson are ready to battle it out. “It’s a storied rivalry between the two franchises,” Haliburton said. “Adding another chapter is going to be a lot of fun.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR APP AND TAKE US WITH YOU ANYWHERE!

Knicks fans haven’t forgotten the battles of the ’90s and early 2000s, from John Starks’ infamous headbutt on Reggie Miller to Miller’s iconic choke gesture at Spike Lee. That tension will be felt again, especially with Miller returning as an analyst for TNT.

Related Article: NBA Under Investigation By DOJ For Alleged Violations Targeting BIG3 League

Related Article: Michael Jordan Joins NBC’s NBA Coverage as ‘Special Contributor’

“There was definitely a sense of hatred for each other,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns noted. “It makes a good rivalry. Now it’s our turn to write our part of history.”

Game 1 promises to be intense as both teams fight for a spot in the NBA Finals. With history, high stakes, and elite talent on both sides, this series is shaping up to be one for the ages.

HEAD BACK TO THE RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM HOMEPAGE

Knicks & Pacers Reignite Rivalry in Eastern Conference Finals Face-Off  was originally published on rickeysmileymorningshow.com