The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers renew one of the NBA’s classic playoff rivalries tonight at Madison Square Garden, tipping off Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
This marks their seventh postseason meeting — and the first time they’ve met in the conference finals since 2000.
The Pacers won their most recent playoff clash, last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, capitalizing on a Knicks team missing Jalen Brunson in Game 7 due to a fractured hand. But this year’s Knicks are healthy and fully loaded — and ready for revenge.
New York won two of three regular-season games against Indiana, averaging 124 points per contest. But this series is likely to be far more competitive.
These are two high-powered offenses with contrasting styles: New York thrives through half-court execution and clutch isolation scoring, while Indiana runs the floor, moves the ball quickly, and shoots the three at a blistering clip.
The Pacers come into Game 1 shooting 40.6% from three-point range in the playoffs — the best mark in the league. They’ve also averaged nearly 30 assists per game, outpacing the Knicks’ average of just 20.
To slow them down, New York will rely heavily on its perimeter defenders: OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and the hyper-switchable Mitchell Robinson.
Robinson’s rim protection, rebounding, and ability to rotate defensively will be crucial. But he’ll need to stay out of foul trouble — and convert those line-drive free throws when the Pacers come hacking away.
On the offensive side, the Knicks are simply deeper. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns give New York two bona fide 30-point threats. But Towns has a tendency to disappear.
Bridges and Anunoby are both capable of dropping 20+ — when they find rhythm. They’re also equally capable of scoring in the low single digits.
Hart has begun to overcome his reluctance to shoot — scoring 20 or more twice against the Celtics. If he remains aggressive in getting to the basket, especially on transition, and continues his high-level offensive rebounding and defense, he could be critical in slowing the Pacers down, denying them transition point opportunities, and matching their tempo.
During these playoffs, Indiana ranks second in transition points per game, with 23.
Tempo is key to Indiana’s game. Combined with their spacing, they’ll force the Knicks to defend every inch of the court.
So expect a tight, high-scoring battle — but one the Knicks should be able to control down the stretch if they dictate pace and protect the perimeter.
Game Prediction: Knicks by single digits in Game 1.
Series Prediction: Knicks in six.
How to Watch Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
Tonight’s Pacers-Knicks game tips off just after 8:00 PM Eastern.
The game airs live on TNT and streams on the TNT app and website, as well as Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and YouTube TV.
Pacers vs. Knicks
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 8:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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