Rivalry Renewed

By Eddie Castro
For the first time in 25 years, the New York Knicks have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the reigning defending champion, the Boston Celtics, in six games. This past Friday night, the city was absolutely electric. In baseball, you had the first Subway Series of 2025 kick off between the Yankees and Mets, which marked Juan Soto’s first visit back to the Bronx after leaving the team in the off-season in favor of the cross-rival Mets.

Then you had a parade-like celebration all over 34th Street and 7th Avenue as Knick fans celebrated the only way Knick fans know how to. There was even a Knick fan sitting on top of a huge billboard. Now the Knicks turn their attention to a team they are quite familiar with when it comes to playoff matchups, the Indiana Pacers.

When you think of the history between these two teams, how can you not think about the times Reggie Miller broke the hearts of Knicks fans and Spike Lee, or why didn’t Patrick Ewing dunk the ball with a clear path to the basket in Game 7 of their 1994 series? More recently, the infamous 4-point play by Larry Johnson, which ultimately carried the team to their last NBA finals appearance in ‘99.

This series will bring the fireworks. It is the best storyline you can possibly put together. To be quite frank, these two teams do NOT like each other. Since last summer, these two teams seemed destined to meet each other again.

There was even a brief confrontation between Knicks star Jalen Brunson and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton in an episode of WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown last June, which took place at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won the season series against Indiana 2-1, but as we all know, the playoffs are a much different atmosphere.

The Pacers, led by Haliburton have a win-loss record of 42-17 since January 1st, the second-best record just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Indiana is coming off an impressive series win against the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Haliburton has averaged 18.6 points and just over nine assists in these playoffs thus far. For whatever the reason, he has had some of his best performances against the Knicks. Forward Pascal Siakam has also had a great 2025 playoffs as he is averaging 20 points and close to 7 rebounds.

You can’t have asked for a better movie-like script than this. The Knicks will look to avenge their seven-game playoff loss to the Pacers in last year’s playoffs. Karl Anthony-Towns will be a key player to watch this series. In three games against the Pacers in the regular season, Towns averaged 30.3 Points to go along with 12 rebounds. Although the Pacers may not have a guy to score 30 points a night like the Knicks do in Brunson, the Pacers roster can beat you in many ways with contributions from different players, which makes them not only unique but dangerous.

34th Street will once again be rocking as the first two games of this series will be at Madison Square Garden. If you don’t remember those intense playoff match-ups between these two teams back in 1994 and 1999, you will surely be reminded of them in Game 1. Let’s get the popcorn ready New York!

Sports Notes: (basketball) As we go to press, Game 1 of the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers will already be in the books. Game 2 will take place tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. (Baseball) The Yankees will head to the Mile-High City to begin a three-game set versus the Colorado Rockies. The Mets will welcome the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The first meeting between these two teams since their National League Championship Series last year.