Game 2 at Madison Square Garden drew a celebrity front row. Knicks and Pacers, set to reignite a historic feud, tipped off amid high stakes. But once again, the Knicks suffered a narrow defeat, falling 109-114 as Reggie Miller revisited MSG, his on-court nemesis—superfan Spike Lee—hovered courtside. Once known for their intense feud that led to the infamous ‘choking’ gesture, the two now seem to be singing a different tune. Have they finally decided to settle the dust?
The Pacers and Knicks have tangled in seven playoff series since 1993. Miller’s heated encounters with the Knicks aren’t forgotten yet. The five-time All-Star admitted he’d be ‘disappointed’ without those infamous ‘FU!’ chants—proof he thrives on the heat. But does that heat still burn toward Lee? Evidently, not. In the latest reel shared by NBA on TNT, Miller talks about the Knicks and their fandom on his way to MSG.
Eager for the clash, Miller quipped that praising Knicks fans felt almost sacrilegious. “Knicks fans are so passionate about their game and team in New York. That’s what I like about them. No, it didn’t hurt that much,” Miller said as he laughed. He appreciated how the fanbase is always so passionate and dedicated to their teams.
When asked about Lee, Miller declared that the two have long buried the drama. He even added that every arena should have a dedicated fan like Lee. “Let me go on the record and say this, because Spike and I are really good now. Time heals all wounds. And I always tell people there needs to be, in every arena, more people like Spike, who are loyal to the vault, will go down on the floor. That’s Spike. He loves the Knicks, and there is nothing that is going to change his mind,” he said.
More than two decades ago, the situation was very different between Lee and Miller. In Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, the retired NBA player dropped 25 points in the 4th quarter and went on to do the ‘choking’ gesture. The Knicks ultimately won, but Miller took his revenge the following year.
But Miller has already buried the hatchet. Is the sentiment the same on Lee’s end?
What does Spike Lee think about his decades-old beef with Reggie Miller?
Miller’s comment sounds similar to what Lee previously said about their feud. All that drama happened decades ago. During those intense matchups, both Miller and Lee were often seen trash-talking, but that’s all in the past for the TNT analyst. Now, with the Pacers and Knicks facing off again, it’s clear that, along with the teams’ rivalry, the old feud between Lee and Miller will also be brought up.
Well, Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton was seen doing the same ‘choking’ gesture after handing a tough 138-135 defeat to the New York Knicks. He later regretted the celebratory gesture. In a conversation with First Take, the director clarified that there’s no longer any beef between them. “Here’s the thing, I know already they’re gonna be digging up stuff from me and Reggie Miller.”
Despite Tyrese Haliburton’s playful “choke” mimic in 2025 and renewed media chatter, Lee says he’s done reliving old battles. “I like to tell everybody me and Reggie Miller were cool,” he told First Take. “That stuff, how many years ago, 20 years ago, has been dead and buried. Got nothing but respect. This is mutual respect between Reggie Miller and I.”
Earlier, Miller also added that the two have already met each other a few times, and the feud is indeed over. This was certainly a sweet surprise for fans who had watched the heated exchanges between the two throughout Miller’s playing days. And while the feuding may have ended, their passion for both teams remains unchanged!
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