This previous Friday, the Knicks had been residence to face the Celtics in Sport 6 of the East semi-finals. New York had a 3-2 sequence lead and an opportunity to shut it at Madison Sq. Backyard.
It was a six-point recreation after the primary quarter; nevertheless, it rapidly acquired out of hand. By halftime, the Knicks had been up 63-37. New York routed the Celtics for a closing rating of 119-81. The Knicks simply received Sport 6 and punched their ticket to the Jap Convention Finals. That is their first ECF look within the final 25 years.
The Pacers and Knicks will meet within the 2025 Jap Convention Finals
Beginning lineups the final time the Knicks and Pacers performed in opposition to one another within the Jap Convention Finals (2000) pic.twitter.com/xYMNRt1xTL
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) Might 17, 2025
New York and Indiana have waited a very long time to get again to the Jap Convention Finals. The Knicks haven’t received the East since 1999, and the Pacers since 2000. Satirically, the Knicks misplaced to the Pacers in 2000, and New York beat Indiana in 1999. Within the 2025 ECF, the pinnacle coaches have two reverse methods. Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau performs his starters in heavy minutes and solely has a seven-to-eight-man rotation.
Pacers’ Rick Carlisle has 9 gamers within the postseason who common double-digit minutes. Having depth has been a power of Indiana all through the season. Even when their starters are usually not on the courtroom, the workforce can maintain its personal. The Knicks have a totally totally different technique. All 5 of their starters are averaging 35+ minutes per recreation this postseason. New York’s starters are important to their workforce’s success, together with Jalen Brunson.
The 2024-25 Clutch Participant of the 12 months is having a dominant postseason for the Knicks. His workforce is 4 wins away from punching their ticket to an NBA Finals look. Standing in the best way of the Knicks is a scrappy Pacers workforce that can not be taken calmly. They beat the Bucks within the first spherical after which the #1 seed Cavs within the semi-finals. Sport 1 of the Jap Convention Finals is Wednesday, Might 21, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
