These NBA playoffs have brought some incredible moments, but now four teams remain who want to send their opponents home. The Indiana Pacers-Knicks series has built up a storied rivalry in the past, and now they will battle again for the hopes of becoming the next NBA champion. This rivalry led both teams to their last finals appearances. Let’s take a look at just how long it’s been since both teams have reached the finals and how they managed to get to where they are now.
The last time Indiana made an appearance in the Finals was in 2000. It was also their only appearance, where they would fall to Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in six games. They beat the Knicks in the conference finals behind a 34-point performance by Reggie Miller to seal the deal in game six. While the Pacers may not have a Miller, they have a Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton was voted the NBA’s most overrated player this season, and he took that personally. He’s averaging 17.5 points on 47.4% shooting, while also leading the Pacers to two of the most improbable gentleman sweeps in recent memory. They knocked off the Bucks in five games, behind an eight-to-nothing run in overtime to seal the deal. Indiana also knocked off the Cavaliers, with Haliburton hitting arguably the biggest shot in the playoffs in game two to sweep the Cavaliers at home.
This run has been impressive, and they will need to continue to lean on Haliburton and Myles Turner to push past the Knicks and have an opportunity to win their first NBA Championship.
The Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, but their success has declined sharply since the turn of the century. New York’s last NBA Finals appearance was in 1999, when they lost to Tim Duncan and the rising force of the San Antonio Spurs.
New York beat out the Pacers in six games to get into the Finals, behind a 32-point performance from Allan Houston and two all-around games from Latrell Sprewell and Marcus Camby. They will need all their guys to contribute every night to beat the depth the Pacers have this season.
Jalen Brunson and the company have been on a tear during the playoffs. After beating the up-and-coming Detroit Pistons in a gritty six-game series, the Knicks faced the repeat hopeful Celtics. While the series was an absolute battle, after Jayson Tatum’s injury in game four, the Knicks secured their spot in the conference finals after a dominant game six. Four of their starters scored over 20 points, and the lone starter without 20, Josh Hart, ended the night with a triple-double.
Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns may be the new guard-big duo in New York, but they will need everyone to step up if they want to make their first finals appearance this century.
Both teams will rely heavily on their first and second options, but the battle will be won by how well the reserves play. The depth in this series is both teams’ X-factor and will provide crucial minutes in one of the closest matchups on paper this playoffs. Between Haliburton and Brunson, this series doesn’t lack young stars or talent, with the depth and power of their lineups. Look for this Pacers-Knicks to be one for the ages and possibly set up a revamp of this storied rivalry.
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