The 2025 Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers is like a blast from the past, reminiscent of the heated matchups from the 1990s. These two teams have a long history of facing off in the playoffs, with eight postseason meetings under their belt, six of which occurred within an eight-year period. The most recent showdown between the Knicks and Pacers in the playoffs was back in 2000, where the Pacers emerged victorious in six games, crushing the Knicks’ hopes of making it to the Finals.
A pivotal moment in the rivalry took place during Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals when Pacers’ legend Reggie Miller taunted Knicks fan Spike Lee with a choking gesture after a spectacular performance in the fourth quarter. Fast forward to 2025, and history seemed to repeat itself when current Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton replicated Miller’s iconic move after sinking a game-tying shot in Game 1 of the series, much to the delight of Miller, who was present at the game as a TNT broadcaster. The rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers has been reignited, with a modern twist that dates back to their intense matchups in the 1990s.
A modern mini-beef between the two teams has been brewing, especially after the Pacers defeated the Knicks in a seven-game series during the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. The tension escalated when Haliburton led the Pacers to a dominant victory in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, sporting a hoodie with an image of Miller’s infamous choking gesture directed at Lee. Despite downplaying the significance of his wardrobe choice, Haliburton’s actions added fuel to the fiery rivalry between the two franchises. Additionally, a spicy interaction between Haliburton and Knicks guard Josh Hart added more drama to the mix, showcasing the intense competition between the players on and off the court.
In a surprising turn of events, Haliburton and Knicks star Jalen Brunson found themselves in a WWE-style showdown just a month after their on-court battle. As a self-proclaimed WWE fan, Haliburton made a guest appearance in the wrestling ring alongside Logan Paul during a June SmackDown at MSG. The tension escalated when Haliburton and Brunson engaged in a stare-down, leading to a dramatic confrontation that involved brass knuckles, steel chairs, and intense face-offs. The WWE-style encounter between the two players further emphasized the heated rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers, adding a theatrical element to their ongoing feud that transcended the basketball court.
