What Makes the Knicks Dangerous? Breaking Down New York’s Playoff Surge Ahead of Pacers Clash

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The Eastern Conference Finals begin in New York on Wednesday (8 p.m., TNT).

The Indiana Pacers are moving on after a Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 13.

Indiana, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, will play the third-seeded New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs. New York is led by Jalen Brunson, who has averaged over 30 points a game in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns has also been a presence for the Knicks with 19.7 points and 11.6 rebounds in the postseason.

Other names to watch out for on the Knicks roster are OG Anunoby (16.0 points per game and 2.0 steals in the playoffs), Mikal Bridges (15.4 points and 2.1 steals) and Josh Hart (12.4 points).

Here is what you should know about the Knicks. New York Knicks made a blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason

In October 2024, five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Knicks in a blockbuster deal. Towns averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds a game during the regular season for the Knicks. Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) guards New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) as he shoots the ball during the first half of a game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Knicks 132-121. New York Knicks got their revenge against the Boston Celtics

The Knicks finished the regular season with the third-best record (51-31) in the Eastern Conference. However, Atlantic Division rival Boston Celtics were the second-best with a 61-21 record.

Things played out differently in the playoffs, though. New York beat No. 6 seed Detroit in the first round, 4-2, then advanced to the second round to play the Celtics. The Knicks won close contests in Game 1 (108-105 OT), Game 2 (91-90) and Game 4 (121-113), but lost Games 3 (115-93) and 5 (127-102). And in Game 6, New York won emphatically.

Pacers vs Knicks in the 2024-25 regular season

The Knicks beat the Pacers two out of three times during the regular season.

• 10/25/2024: Knicks 123, Pacers 98
• 11/10/2024: Pacers 132, Knicks 121
• 2/11/2025: Knicks 128, Pacers 115

Pacers vs Knicks playoffs history

These two have a storied playoff history that is as recent as last season, when the Pacers prevailed in seven games. New York hasn’t beaten Indiana in the playoffs since 1999.

• 1993: Knicks 3-1
• 1994: Knicks 4-3
• 1995: Pacers 4-3
• 1998: Pacers 4-1
• 1999: Knicks 4-2
• 2000: Pacers 4-2
• 2013: Pacers 4-2
• 2024: Pacers 4-3

When will Pacers play New York Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals?

Since the Knicks finished the regular season with a better record than the Pacers, they will have home-court advantage. Games 3, 4 and 6 (if necessary) will be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

All times Eastern

Game 1: Weds., May 21, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 2: Fri., May 23, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 3: Sun., May 25, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 4: Tues., May 27, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 5: Thurs., May 29, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary)

Game 6: Sat., May 31, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary)

Game 7: Mon., June 2, 8 p.m., TNT (if necessary)

Have Indiana Pacers ever been to the NBA Finals?

Yes, the Pacers played in the 2000 NBA Finals against the L.A. Lakers. Indiana beat the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals that season.

When was last time New York Knicks made NBA Finals?

It’s been longer for the Knicks, who last reached the NBA Finals in 1999, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.