Pacers-Knicks Renew a Rivalry with Memorable Moments Involving Reggie Miller, Spike Lee, and Others
Few rivalries in NBA history have combined on-court drama, off-court theatrics, and cultural impact like the one between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. The mere mention of Reggie Miller and Spike Lee is enough to transport basketball fans back to the heart-pounding playoff series of the 1990s, where Madison Square Garden became the stage for one of the most iconic player-fan feuds in sports history. Now, in 2025, with both teams surging toward the top of the Eastern Conference once again, the rivalry is alive, electric, and as personal as ever.
The Origins of a Heated Rivalry
While the Knicks and Pacers first squared off in the early days of NBA competition, their rivalry didn’t truly ignite until the 1990s — a decade where both franchises were consistently among the league’s elite. The Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing and coached by Pat Riley, embodied the bruising, physical style of New York City. The Pacers, with Reggie Miller as their fearless sniper, evolved into a mentally resilient team under the direction of coach Larry Brown and later Larry Bird.
What set this rivalry apart was its emotional volatility and dramatic stakes. The two franchises faced off six times in the playoffs between 1993 and 2000, with four of those series going to the full five or seven games. These were not just basketball games — they were psychological wars filled with clutch shots, trash talk, emotional meltdowns, and unforgettable moments.
Reggie Miller vs. Spike Lee: The Theatrical Epicenter
No figure better symbolizes the chaos and intensity of Pacers-Knicks than Reggie Miller. And no moment encapsulates that energy more than the infamous “8 points in 9 seconds” game on May 7, 1995. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks held a 105-99 lead with under 20 seconds remaining. Then, Reggie Miller happened.
Miller drilled a three-pointer, stole the inbounds pass, stepped back behind the arc, and hit another. After a missed pair of Knicks free throws, Miller was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to complete a stunning 107-105 comeback win.
But what elevated that moment into myth was the presence of Spike Lee — filmmaker, superfan, and provocateur — who had spent the night heckling Miller from his courtside seat. With every bucket, Miller turned to Lee and unleashed imaginary choke gestures and biting stares. It was theater at its finest, a moment when basketball, celebrity, and rivalry fused into legend.
“I had to shut him up,” Miller later said. “He talks too much, and when you’re in the Garden, it feels like the world is watching.”
The Players Who Made It Personal
While Miller and Lee were the headline acts, the rivalry was filled with unforgettable performances from an ensemble cast of players who defined their era. Patrick Ewing, the indomitable center and face of the Knicks, battled through injuries and pressure to keep New York relevant every spring. His clashes with the Pacers’ big men — particularly Dale Davis, Antonio Davis, and Rik Smits — were wars of attrition.
Smits, the 7-foot-4 “Dunking Dutchman,” was a quiet assassin. In Game 4 of the 1995 series, he hit a dramatic buzzer-beater over Ewing to tie the series 2-2. That shot silenced the Garden and proved that Indiana wasn’t just Reggie’s show — they had the depth to grind out wins.
Other notables included John Starks, the Knicks’ emotional barometer, whose highs and lows often mirrored the team’s fate. His infamous 2-for-18 performance in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals lingered, but in the Pacers battles, he was a relentless defender and passionate agitator. Similarly, Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason were enforcers whose rebounding and physical play made the Pacers earn every point.
On the Indiana side, Mark Jackson — a former Knick — orchestrated the Pacers’ offense with veteran savvy and a touch of revenge. Travis Best, Derrick McKey, and later Jalen Rose gave the Pacers a blend of athleticism and swagger that made them formidable.
1994 to 2000: The Rivalry’s Golden Age
The 1994 Eastern Conference Finals were a pivotal moment in the rivalry. The Knicks edged the Pacers in a seven-game classic en route to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1973. In that series, Miller delivered 39 points in Game 5 at the Garden, complete with trash talk, clutch threes, and the infamous choke sign aimed at Lee.
In 1995, the Pacers got their revenge, winning the series in seven games thanks in part to Miller’s Game 1 heroics and Smits’ Game 4 dagger. The Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, cementing their status as one of the conference’s elite.
In 1998, the two teams met again in the semifinals. The Knicks, undermanned due to suspensions and injuries, fell in five games. The rivalry saw another twist in 1999 when an eighth-seeded Knicks team, led by Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston, and Marcus Camby, shocked the top-seeded Pacers in six games, advancing to the NBA Finals in the strike-shortened season.
The final classic showdown came in 2000, when the Pacers — now coached by Larry Bird — defeated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals in six games, finally reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. It was a culmination for Reggie Miller, who scored 34 in the clincher and walked off the court having conquered his greatest rival.
From Dormancy to Renewal: 2020s Revival
For years, the rivalry dimmed as both franchises navigated rebuilds, roster changes, and shifting conference dynamics. But in the 2020s, with young stars rising and both teams returning to playoff prominence, the Pacers-Knicks rivalry has been reborn.
The Knicks, with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett (later traded), re-established their identity through gritty defense and unselfish play. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s no-nonsense leadership brought echoes of the ’90s back to Madison Square Garden.
The Pacers, building around Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner, returned to a fast-paced, offensively fluid team with an edge. Their 2024 playoff series — a second-round battle that went to seven games — served as the modern-day reboot of a classic feud.
Game 5 of that series, played at the Garden, saw Haliburton light up the Knicks with 39 points and a barrage of late threes. He stared into the stands after each make, not unlike Miller a generation earlier. Spike Lee, still ever-present, could only laugh and shake his head. The parallels were uncanny.
The 2025 Rematch: Tensions High Again
In the 2025 postseason, the Knicks and Pacers met once more — this time with a Finals berth potentially on the line. Both teams had matured. Brunson had become a top-tier point guard. Haliburton was an All-NBA performer. And fans, media, and former players couldn’t help but compare this series to the 1990s.
During Game 3 in Indiana, cameras caught Reggie Miller and Spike Lee reunited courtside — this time seated together and laughing, yet clearly invested. Their presence alone seemed to summon the ghosts of past series, igniting social media and bringing younger fans into the feud’s rich history.
Knicks forward Josh Hart embraced the rivalry’s spirit, saying, “This isn’t just a series — it’s a legacy battle. You can feel the energy from every possession, like it matters more. And honestly, it does.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the significance, too: “There’s something special about Knicks-Pacers. It’s physical, it’s loud, and it’s emotional. These teams don’t like each other. That’s good for basketball.”
Legacy and Cultural Impact
What makes the Knicks-Pacers rivalry so timeless isn’t just the games — it’s the personalities, the performances, and the passion. Reggie Miller became the villain New York never stopped hating — or respecting. Spike Lee became more than a filmmaker — he was part of the action, a court-side instigator who amplified the storylines.
Their battles made the NBA feel like a theater. They inspired documentaries, book chapters, and countless fan debates. Kids who grew up in the 1990s now relive those memories through YouTube highlights and retrospectives. The rivalry didn’t just entertain; it shaped an era of basketball culture.
Now, as new stars carry the mantle, the Knicks and Pacers are once again writing chapters worthy of the rivalry’s legend. Whether it’s Haliburton hitting a game-winner or Brunson scoring 40 at the Garden, every moment feels soaked in history.
Conclusion: A Feud That Never Fades
The Knicks-Pacers rivalry is one of the NBA’s crown jewels — a saga of grit, skill, ego, and redemption. It has evolved with time, but its heart remains unchanged. Each game is more than a contest. It’s a story being told again and again, with new heroes, villains, and memories.
In 2025, with the stakes higher than ever and the eyes of the basketball world fixed on them once again, the Knicks and Pacers have renewed a rivalry that refuses to die. And if the ghosts of Reggie and Spike are still watching from the sidelines, you can bet they’re smiling — because once again, the battle is on.
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