FOR the second straight year, it's going to be Indiana and New York meeting in the NBA playoffs only this time, the two proud squads play with even higher stakes as they compete in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks dispatched the young and rising Detroit Pistons in the first round in six games, before dethroning defending champions Boston Celtics also in six games in the conference semifinals.
The Pacers, on the other hand, had a more dominating run to the conference finals as they sent Giannis Antetekounmpo and the rest of the Milwaukee Bucks home in five games, while eliminating the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers out also in five.
Before these two teams rekindle their rivalry this Thursday morning (Philippine time), let's take a look at some of the biggest storylines of this finals encounter
Red-Hot Rivalry
New York and Indiana meet in the playoffs for the second straight season as they continue to put a modern twist on a classic NBA rivalry. Last season, the Pacers defeated the Knicks in seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, rallying from series deficits of 2-0 and 3-2.
The drama was reminiscent of the teams’ matchups from a generation ago, when they faced each other in the playoffs six times in an eight-year span from 1993-2000. Patrick Ewing and Reggie Miller went head-to-head in one thriller after another and helped define a decade of NBA basketball.
Opportunity Knocks
The most recent NBA Finals appearances for these teams came 26 years ago for New York and 25 years ago for Indiana – and in both cases, one team beat the other in the Eastern Conference Finals in those two seasons.
In 1999, the Knicks defeated the Pacers during a historic run to the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed. One season later, Indiana got the best of New York to make the NBA Finals for the first (and still only) time in franchise history; the Knicks are now back in the Conference Finals for the first time since that series loss to the Pacers in 2000.
Marquee Matchup
Two-time NBA All-Stars Jalen Brunson of New York and Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana square off in a battle of ascendant point guards who are at their best in the biggest moments.
Brunson’s barrage of late-game buckets and Haliburton’s two game-winning shots have been key features of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Both players – who jump-started their respective franchises upon arrival a few years ago – are one step away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time.
Winning Ways
After a 10-15 start to the season, the Pacers have been dominant over the last five months – a 40-17 finish to the regular season and five-game playoff-series victories over the 2020-21 NBA champion Bucks and the 64-win, top-seeded Cavaliers.
A relentlessly fast-paced offense, much-improved defense and impressive depth have made Indiana the first team to advance to the Conference Finals as the No. 4 or seed or lower in back-to-back seasons under the current playoff format (since 1984).
With nearly the same playing rotation as last season under championship-winning head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers have perfected their distinctive style of play.
Step Forward
After back-to-back Eastern Conference Semifinal appearances in the previous two seasons, the Knicks have taken the next step by making the Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years.
They have done it with a retooled roster after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges to join Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart in a superb starting lineup.
A series victory over the defending NBA champion Celtics in the last round has put New York in position to avenge last season’s playoff loss to Indiana.
Snappy Comebacks
Indiana and New York have both shown strong resolve in repeatedly erasing big deficits to win playoff games. In the first two rounds, the Pacers won three games that they trailed by 19 or more points – the first team with at least three 19-point playoff comebacks in a single season since 1998.
Against the Celtics, the Knicks rallied from a 20-point deficit in each of the first two games and a 14-point deficit in another victory. No lead is safe against these two resilient teams.
Halfway Home
With eight more victories, the Pacers would win their first NBA championship ever and the Knicks would win their first in 52 years. The Indiana franchise won three ABA championships before joining the NBA in 1976. New York won its two NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.
Friendly Foes
The head-to-head matchup between standout forwards and former longtime teammates Pascal Siakam of Indiana and OG Anunoby of New York could go a long way in determining the series winner.
The two played seven seasons together with the Raptors and helped them win the 2019 NBA championship before both were traded in the middle of last season. Siakam earned his third NBA All-Star selection this season, and Anunoby had his best scoring season to complement his stellar defense.
Talk of the Towns
In back-to-back seasons, Karl-Anthony Towns has helped two different franchises end decadeslong droughts without a Conference Finals appearance – the Timberwolves last season (first time in 20 years) and the Knicks this season (first time in 25 years).
With his first NBA Finals in sight, the five-time NBA All-Star takes on another highly skilled big man, Indiana’s Myles Turner, who is also eyeing his first NBA Finals as he completes his 10th season with the Pacers.
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