New York, NY. (WE) — The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers have always delivered theater when matched up in the NBA Playoffs. From the fierce ‘90s battles between Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing to the current era’s fast-paced modern game, this rivalry burns with legacy. On Wednesday night, it reignites in full force when these two Eastern Conference heavyweights tip off Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks won 51 games during the regular season. The Pacers weren’t far behind with 50. These are two of the most balanced, well-coached, and hungry squads left in the 2025 NBA Playoffs — each one led by a star point guard and fresh off upsetting a 60-win team in the second round. But while they may look similar on paper, their approach to the game could not be more different.
The Knicks, built around methodical execution and relentless rebounding, will lean heavily on their ironman starters. The Pacers, in contrast, offer dizzying ball movement, nonstop pace, and the deepest bench rotation still playing.
Here’s a full breakdown of what’s at stake in Game 1, what separates these two squads, and the burning questions that could define this must-watch matchup.
Can the Pacers Keep the Knicks Off the Offensive Glass?
One thing hasn’t changed since last postseason’s hard-fought battle between these teams: New York dominates the offensive glass.
Led by big man Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have crushed teams with second-chance opportunities. In his 222 playoff minutes so far, the Knicks have rebounded a staggering 39.3% of their missed shots, according to PBPStats — a number even better than the regular season-best Houston Rockets rate of 36.3%.
“Their rebounding is a daunting problem,” said Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle. “It creates a whole other layer we have to solve.”
This is more than just about New York generating offense — it’s also how they neutralize Indiana’s transition attack. The Pacers thrive on fast breaks, led by the elite vision of Tyrese Haliburton. But if they’re forced to commit extra bodies to boxing out, leaking out in transition becomes much harder.
“We’ve got to rebound and run,” Haliburton said Monday. “If we can hold them to one shot, we like our chances.”
The Pacers ranked slightly below average in defensive rebounding during the regular season and struggled at times in their second-round win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their emphasis on defensive rebounding has become a point of preparation regardless of opponent, but against the Knicks, it will be mission-critical.
Can New York Replicate Its Defensive Masterclass Against Boston?
The Knicks just sent the league’s best regular-season team, the Boston Celtics, home early in a stunning 4–2 series win. In that series, New York switched more than usual, taking away the Celtics’ rhythm and forcing isolation-heavy possessions.
Against the Pacers, the challenge will be different. This isn’t a team that stands still.
“The last two games against Boston prepared us,” said New York swingman Josh Hart. “It forced us to communicate and switch quicker. Indiana’s got that same pace, but faster.”
Indiana ranks among the fastest teams in the league in offensive pace and utilizes motion-heavy schemes centered around ghost screens, dribble handoffs, and misdirection. Haliburton is the architect, but players like Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Aaron Nesmith make Indiana a nightmare to guard for long stretches.
“They’re going to run on makes and misses — it’s just who they are,” Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson said.
New York’s defensive game plan will likely focus on containing Haliburton’s passing lanes and limiting secondary actions that lead to easy buckets. Players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges must stay sharp in off-ball coverage.
“Nothing’s perfect,” Brunson added. “But if we keep our energy and talk high, we’ll be OK.”
Who Guards Who? Indiana’s Defensive Matchup Challenges
The Pacers face some tough decisions in Game 1 when it comes to defending the Knicks’ key players.
Start with the Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll, which has become a devastating staple for New York. In two regular-season meetings with Indiana, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 30 and 40 points respectively. Indiana didn’t switch aggressively on that action, and the results were punishing.
Does Carlisle stick with that plan or change it up? If Turner isn’t on Towns, does Siakam get that assignment? Or Nesmith? If Turner floats off Hart, is he ready to rotate to shooters like Bridges?
Then there’s Brunson, arguably the best postseason performer of 2025 so far. Last season, Andrew Nembhard began as his primary defender, but the more physical Nesmith took over midway through. Carlisle may go back to Nesmith given his size and strength.
“Brunson’s a master,” Carlisle said. “Very few players in NBA history have his ability to create space and get clean shots.”
Haliburton’s defense will also come under scrutiny. If he guards Hart, the Knicks will look to exploit him with secondary actions. If he guards Anunoby or Bridges, the Knicks could isolate him in the mid-post.
All of this is magnified when Indiana’s bench comes in. Could rookie Jarace Walker get a bigger role? His strength and mobility might make him a versatile weapon against Towns-Brunson actions.
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Can the Pacers Wear Down the Knicks?
The Knicks’ reliance on their starters is well-documented. No team left in the playoffs leans harder on its top six. The Pacers, on the other hand, play 10–11 deep and thrive on energy shifts from their bench.
“We want to wear them down,” Haliburton said. “Our bench needs to keep playing our way — fly around, defend, move the ball, and keep the pace.”
Backup point guard T.J. McConnell has long been a thorn in New York’s side. His relentless full-court pressure disrupts rhythm and drains the shot clock. Combine that with players like Benedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin (a former Knick), and Ben Sheppard, and Indiana brings wave after wave of pressure.
Carlisle has praised his team’s depth all season. Against Cleveland, bench players stepped up with critical contributions on both ends. Center Thomas Bryant also provided bruising minutes in the paint, giving Turner necessary rest.
“We have the best bench in the NBA,” Haliburton said with confidence.
If this series goes six or seven games — as it likely will — Indiana’s fresh legs could be a serious advantage against a New York core logging 40+ minutes every night.
What Will Game 1 Reveal?
Game 1 is often called a feel-out game, but given the stakes and the history between these franchises, expect both teams to come out firing.
The Knicks will try to establish the tempo early by pounding the glass, playing through Towns in the post, and letting Brunson work in isolation against mismatches. Indiana will push the pace and use constant motion to create cracks in New York’s defense.
If the Pacers can survive New York’s opening punch, they may find themselves in a prime position to steal Game 1 and flip home-court advantage.
But if the Knicks dominate the offensive boards and contain Haliburton’s passing angles, Madison Square Garden might witness another classic performance from a team that has grown more dangerous with every round.
How to Watch The Game?
For fans in Kansas City, Missouri, the game will be available on TNT and through the aforementioned streaming services.SI
Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Location | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 21 (Wed) | 8:00 PM | Madison Square Garden | TNT/MAX |
| 2 | May 23 (Fri) | 8:00 PM | Madison Square Garden | TNT/MAX |
| 3 | May 25 (Sun) | 8:00 PM | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | TNT/MAX |
| 4 | May 27 (Tue) | 8:00 PM | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | TNT/MAX |
| 5* | May 29 (Thu) | 8:00 PM | Madison Square Garden | TNT/MAX |
| 6* | May 31 (Sat) | 8:00 PM | Gainbridge Fieldhouse | TNT/MAX |
| 7* | June 2 (Mon) | 8:00 PM | Madison Square Garden | TNT/MAX |
Injury Reports
- Pacers: Entering the series at full strength.
- Knicks: No significant injuries reported.
Final Thoughts
This Knicks-Pacers Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals showdown is not just a battle of talented rosters — it’s a contrast in philosophies.
New York is deliberate, powerful, and elite on the boards. Indiana is fast, fluid, and deep. What happens when brute strength meets perpetual motion? We’re about to find out.
