It’s only fitting that the Knicks and Pacers are set to face off with a chance to advance to their first NBA Finals in more than two decades. These two teams couldn’t be more different in how they approach the game today, but the hostility between them makes this matchup special.
The history tells the story: 48 postseason meetings with the Pacers holding a slight 26-22 edge. The Pacers haven’t made it to the NBA Finals since 2000, while the Knicks’ last appearance came in 1999. Looking at their 2024-25 regular season matchups provides hints of what’s to come – the Knicks won two of three meetings and shot an impressive 53.9% against Indiana. After Round 2, Knicks fans know they can toss the regular season out the window.
Both squads enter this series riding high after impressive second-round victories. The Pacers handled business against the 1-seed Cavaliers in five games, while the Knicks shocked everyone by taking down the defending champion Celtics in six. Now, fans get to witness another chapter in this storied rivalry with a trip to the NBA Finals at stake.
Rivalry, Revenge, and Redemption
The Knicks-Pacers rivalry defined the NBA’s 1990s era of toughness and physicality. This 2025 matchup adds another chapter with New York hungry to avenge last year’s gut-wrenching defeat. Few basketball rivalries carry this much history and emotional baggage. Neither franchise won a title in the ’90s, partly because they beat each other up along the way.
That Game 7 at Madison Square Garden still haunts Knicks fans. Indiana torched New York with an astonishing 67.1% shooting performance, resulting in a soul-crushing 130-109 blowout. Injuries played a massive role in that collapse. The Knicks were essentially fighting on their last legs by the time that series reached Game 7.
- Jalen Brunson broke his shooting hand in the last game
- Bojan Bogdanovic missed the entire series
- Julius Randle was sidelined with a shoulder injury
- OG Anunoby was hobbled with a taped hamstring
- Mitchell Robinson was getting ankle surgery
What Knicks Need to Build On
New York brings serious advantages to this Eastern Conference Finals matchup. If the Knicks want to keep their championship dreams alive, they must capitalize on these strengths:
- Regular Season Performance: The Knicks owned the Pacers during the regular season (2-1 record)
- Towns’ Interior Dominance: Karl-Anthony Towns was unstoppable against Indiana’s interior defense, dropping 24 points in just the first half during their February matchup.
- Fast Starts: That Game 6 win against Boston showed what these Knicks are capable of – jumping all over opponents from the opening tip. No room for error in the Conference Finals.
- Mitchell Robinson Factor: When Robinson channels prime Dennis Rodman energy, opponents struggle to establish their rhythm. His presence is what made the Knicks good to amongst the NBA elite.
Starting strong is absolutely critical against Indiana because it prevents them from establishing their preferred pace and flow. The Knicks can’t afford to fall behind early – Indiana’s pace can quickly put games out of reach.
Foul Trouble & Rebounding
Foul management has been make-or-break throughout this playoff run. During the Detroit series, officials were calling everything and against the Celtics everybody was hacking and whacking in Game 5 especially. That’s the kind of tight whistle that can destroy the rotation.
When players like Towns get in early foul trouble, his whole gameplan and rhythm get thrown off. It happened at times in both series, but the Knicks will need all of his scoring to keep up with Indiana. Against Indiana’s full-court pressure defense, smart positioning isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. The Pistons series transformed New York into a more physical, battle-tested squad. The Celtics shaped their resilience with two 20-point comebacks. The Pacers don’t have the rim protection to handle their physical play inside, making this series where their rebounding advantage is how they will their way to the NBA Finals.
Slowing Down Indiana’s Fast Break
The chess match between the Knicks and Pacers comes down to four critical areas where New York can neutralize Indiana’s high-octane style. The Pacers live and die by their pace and quick transitions. Their offense ranks seventh in the playoffs, and everything they do revolves around getting out in transition. Indiana wants to run at every opportunity – it’s their identity.
Knicks defenders must take away those transition chances by limiting turnovers. This series presents a perfect clash of styles – Indiana wants to push the tempo while New York thrives in grinding half-court battles. Tom Thibodeau-coached teams are at their best when things slow down. After made baskets, the Knicks absolutely cannot rush shots unless they’ve got a clear advantage. Smart shot selection prevents those long rebounds that fuel Indiana’s break. Every possession must have purpose.
Maximizing Towns’ Offensive Mismatches
Karl-Anthony Towns absolutely dominated the Pacers this season:
- 30.3 points per game
- 12.0 rebounds per game
- 46.7% shooting from three-point range
Myles Turner simply doesn’t have the defensive tools to contain KAT effectively. The numbers don’t lie – Towns posted a +10.5 net rating against Indiana, and the Knicks won two of three regular season matchups largely because of his dominance. For success, Towns needs to attack inside early rather than settling for contested jumpers. When KAT establishes himself in the paint first, everything else opens up for the entire offense.
The last 4 times the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, they have played the Pacers each time
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) May 19, 2025
2025, 2000, 1999 and 1994
Pacers vs. Knicks now covers Gen X/Millennials/Gen Z. An actual generational rivalry. I love this shit.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 17, 2025
Forcing Haliburton into Isolation Plays
Here’s something most casual fans don’t realize – Tyrese Haliburton, despite being an offensive wizard, ranks 375th in defensive estimated plus-minus. That makes him a glaring defensive target the Knicks need to attack relentlessly.
Mikal Bridges is the natural matchup to go at Haliburton. His length and speed can disrupt the Pacers’ star distributor. The goal should be simple: force Haliburton into isolation defense rather than letting him hide in team concepts. New York’s switching defense could push Indiana away from their beautiful, free-flowing offense into more isolation basketball. This approach disrupts the Pacers’ preference for quick ball movement and cuts, forcing them to play a style they’re uncomfortable with.
Championship Dreams
The Knicks enter as slight favorites with -135 odds compared to the Pacers at +115. Home-court advantage and superior regular season performance (2-1 head-to-head) give New York the edge, though many expect a closely contested series that could go seven games.
As the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals approach, this renewed chapter in the Knicks-Pacers rivalry represents more than just basketball – it’s about redemption, legacy, and the championship aspirations of two hungry franchises. The Knicks have the blueprint for success: dominate the glass, exploit mismatches, control the tempo, and leverage their improved health and defensive versatility. The additions of Bridges and Anunoby, combined with Towns’ dominance against Indiana’s frontcourt, give New York advantages they lacked in last year’s heartbreaking defeat.
For Knicks fans who endured the pain of Game 7 last year, this series offers the sweetest possibility – not just advancing to the NBA Finals, but doing so by vanquishing the very team that ended their dreams a year ago. The pieces are in place, the strategy is clear, and Madison Square Garden awaits another historic chapter in this storied rivalry. The path to the NBA Finals runs through familiar territory. This time, the Knicks are better equipped for battle.
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