The Knicks vs. Pacers Rivalry: A Tale of Intensity, Drama, and Iconic NBA Moments

The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers is one of the most storied and compelling in NBA history. Stretching across decades and highlighted by high-stakes playoff battles, it has produced unforgettable moments defined by fierce competition, vibrant personalities, and drama that transcended basketball. This report explores the rivalry’s most memorable episodes, the key figures who defined it, and the significance of its ongoing legacy.

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Origins and Historical Context

The rivalry notably ignited in the early 1990s during multiple Eastern Conference playoff matchups. The clash was not just a competition of skill but an emotional and psychological warfare between teams hungry for dominance in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks, representing the basketball royalty of New York City, and the Pacers, an emerging powerhouse, met eight times in the postseason before their recent encounters renewed the competitive fire in 2024 and 2025. These playoff meetings were the stage for intense battles, creating narratives and moments still relished by NBA fans.

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Iconic Moments that Shaped the Rivalry

1. John Starks’ Headbutt Heard ‘Round the NBA (1993)

One of the rivalry’s hallmark moments occurred during the first round of the 1993 playoffs. The Knicks had begun the series strong, leading 2-0. Frustration mounted for Knicks guard John Starks, especially as he perceived repeated fouls by Reggie Miller going uncalled. The tension boiled over mid-game when Starks famously headbutted Miller during a heated exchange while racing downcourt. Starks was ejected, yet this moment symbolized the visceral, gritty nature of the rivalry. The Pacers eventually won the game, signaling that the rivalry would not bend easily to New York’s will despite their favored status.

2. Reggie Miller’s ‘Choke’ Sign and Explosive Scoring (1994)

Reggie Miller became the embodiment of this rivalry’s psychological intensity, especially in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, Miller scored an astonishing 39 points, including 25 in the fourth quarter alone, to engineer a stunning Pacers comeback victory over the Knicks. His “choke” gesture to Knicks’ Larry Johnson and other players was not just taunting; it was a taunt rooted in late-game dominance that shifted series momentum. Miller’s prowess in these moments established him as an unshakable Knicks nemesis.

3. Larry Johnson’s Four-Point Play: A Twist in the Tale

Larry Johnson delivered one of the rivalry’s memorable clutch plays — a rare four-point play during the heat of the competition. This moment became emblematic of the Knicks’ resolve and capacity to fight back even when the odds seemed stacked against them. It also added to the narrative mosaic of back-and-forth intensity where every point mattered, magnifying the drama of each contest.

4. Spike Lee vs. Reggie Miller: Fan Meets Foe

The rivalry’s psychological warfare extended beyond the court. Iconic New York film director and diehard Knicks fan Spike Lee repeatedly engaged in heated exchanges with Reggie Miller, becoming an emblem of fan fervor and home court intensity. Their interactions, often captured live during playoff contests, amplified the rivalry’s cultural impact, blurring lines between sport and entertainment, and elevating the rivalry beyond just the players involved.

5. The Shootout: Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds

The rivalry is also famous for moments of unbelievable scoring bursts. One such highlight was Miller’s 8 points in the last 9 seconds of a game, a testament to his clutch capability and mental toughness. Moments like these fortified the narrative of Miller as a player who thrived under pressure, often at the expense of the Knicks’ hopes in critical moments.

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The Rivalry’s Impact on NBA History and Culture

This rivalry encapsulates more than just basketball games—it built a bridge between the competitive spirit of professional sports and city pride, psychological warfare, fan culture, and theatrical drama. The exchanges between players reflected a deeper battle for respect and dominance in the East. It elevated the playoffs atmosphere, drawing national attention and embedding itself into NBA lore.

Further, the rivalry’s repeated postseason clashes helped define the 1990s NBA landscape, contributing to the rich tapestry of narratives that made that era remarkable. The personal battles—Starks vs. Miller, Miller vs. Spike Lee—gave the NBA storylines that extended past highlight reels, leaning into emotion and personality.

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The Renewal of the Rivalry in the 2020s

The resurgence of the Knicks and Pacers meeting in the 2024 and 2025 Eastern Conference playoffs rekindled this historical rivalry, reminding fans why this matchup remains one of the NBA’s most exciting. The renewed clashes between the teams, often unexpected—such as the No. 8 seeded Pacers challenging the top-seeded Knicks—have continued to produce moments echoing the past intensity, signaling the rivalry’s lasting vitality.

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Conclusion: A Rivalry Defined by Fire and Legacy

The Knicks-Pacers rivalry is arguably one of the NBA’s most electrifying and enduring contests. Its story is punctuated by moments of raw aggression, buzzer-beating heroics, iconic fan-player battles, and memorable symbolism like the headbutt and “choke” sign. This is not just a rivalry of games won and lost, but of personalities clashing under playoff pressure, city pride on the line, and moments that ignite the imagination of basketball fans.

As new chapters unfold in the 2020s, the legacy of this fierce competition continues, proving that some of sports’ greatest stories are not merely about championships, but about the unforgettable moments of clash and confrontation that define the spirit of rivalry. The Knicks vs. Pacers saga is, and will remain, an integral part of NBA mythology.