It’s Pacers vs. Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals again—an echo of the 1990s rivalry that defined both franchises. This time, Indiana comes in hot after dispatching the top-seeded Cavs in just five games. After the Knicks edged Boston in six games, the series is set: a rivalry steeped in history, attitude, and playoff drama. These two have tangled in the playoffs eight times before, and if you’re a real one, you know exactly who ran the show back then—Reggie Miller.
The Pacers’ all-time leading scorer was the heartbeat of those fierce battles. And trust, some of those moments still live rent-free in every Knicks fan’s mind. Now, speaking of scars and statements, Indiana did it again last season. They sent the Knicks packing after a wild seven-game duel. Game 7? A straight-up clinic.
The Pacers shot an insane 67.1% from the field in their 130-109 win at MSG—a playoff record, by the way. That made it three straight series wins over New York, with Indiana owning five of the eight all-time. Fast forward to this year, they’re already up 1-0. But before we jump into Game 2 hype, let’s hit pause and rewind to a moment that defined this rivalry.
Thirty years on, Reggie Miller’s eight points in 8.9 seconds remain one of the NBA’s most improbable feats. “It was a perfect storm for us.” Then with a laugh, Miller adds, “not for them, though.”
And if you’ve never seen it? Oh man, you’re in for a ride.
Reggie Miller flipped the switch and froze the Garden in 9 seconds
So let’s rewind to that wild Sunday afternoon—May 7, 1995. The Knicks were hosting Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis, and for most of it, Indiana had things under control. They were up nine late in the third, looking like the better squad. With 18.7 seconds left, and somehow the Pacers were staring at a 105-99 hole. Their offense had hit a wall, and the Garden crowd was already tasting victory.
But then came the chaos—and some beautiful, messy basketball. There was pushing, falling, and confusion. At the center of the chaos was Reggie Miller, who seized a split-second opening that would go down in NBA history. Instead of going in for a layup, he darted to the arc. One quick three later, and the Knicks’ lead shrunk. It wasn’t picture perfect, but to Indiana fans? It was a masterpiece.
“I was so upset, first of all, that we were down,” Miller told IndyStar later. “I felt we were a much better team than the Knicks at that particular time. But that game, we just didn’t show up.” Still, when he stepped out of that timeout, something clicked. “I said OK if we get a quick 3, cut the deficit down, anything is possible.”
And just like that, Mark Jackson fired the ball in. Miller caught it in stride, launched a leaning triple, and nailed it. Six points left to go. The clock read 16.4. The Garden had no idea what was coming next. With 13.2 seconds left, Anthony Mason inbounded the ball, thinking Greg Anthony was wide open. Turns out, he wasn’t.
“I threw it to him, he slipped,” Mason said later. But according to Jeff Van Gundy, it wasn’t a slip at all—“Reggie absolutely shoved Anthony.” Either way, Anthony hit the floor, Miller grabbed the pass, and for a second, it looked like he’d go in for a quick two. But nah—Reggie stayed outside the arc. One dribble, another bomb. Tie game.
MANHATTAN, NY – CIRCA 1990’s: Guard Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers is guarded closely by John Starks #3 of the New York Knicks circa mid 1990’s during an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Miller played for the Pacers from 1987-05. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, fans were living in two different realities. In Indianapolis, Aaron Spaulding couldn’t believe what he was seeing. At MSG, Jonathon Pike spilled a beer on himself, hands on his head, frozen. The whole place was stunned—and Reggie wasn’t even done. According to the NBA’s win probability numbers, Indiana had just a 0.6% chance to pull this off with 18 seconds left. But Miller went off like a cheat code. If he kept that pace for an entire quarter? The math says he would’ve dropped 647 points—going 162-for-162 from deep and at the line. Unreal.
Still, after that second three, things got shaky. The game was tied, but Sam Mitchell didn’t realize it. He fouled John Starks right after. The Knicks guard walked to the line, clearly rattled. “I don’t want to shoot these,” is what his teammates later said his eyes were screaming. They weren’t wrong—Starks bricked the first one.
Then came the scramble. The ball bounced around like a pinball until Patrick Ewing came down with it. He took a short jumper—missed. Miller grabbed the board, got fouled with 7.5 seconds left. Pacers coach Larry Brown went full sprint mode on the sideline, arms flying. Opposite him? Knicks coach Pat Riley stood frozen, mouth open.
And then came the dagger. “I go to shoot the foul shots,” Miller said. “And that’s where the last two points come for 8 points in 8.9 seconds.” Final score: 107-105. Series? Pacers in seven. On the court after, a hyped Miller summed it up perfectly: “John Starks choked. We came up big.” But in reality, he came up big.
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