The key storylines in Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals — from revenge to a new villain
The Knicks and Pacers faced off in the playoffs six times in eight years in the ’90s.
Now, after reaching the Eastern Conference finals, they’ve restored that rivalry with a playoff matchup in back-to-back years.
There are multiple reasons for revenge.
There are antagonists.
Let’s dive into the series from all angles:
Chance for double revenge
The Knicks were upset by the Pacers in the second round last year.
After taking a 2-0 series lead, they lost four of the next five games and lost Game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
But the Knicks were decimated by injuries — Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic did not play in the series, Mitchell Robinson only played one game, OG Anunoby missed multiple contests and Jalen Brunson broke his hand in Game 7.
Josh Hart was playing through an abdominal injury as well.
There is good reason for Knicks fans to believe the Pacers got lucky last year.
The Knicks are fully healthy this time around and can right last year’s wrong.
The Pacers also eliminated the Knicks the last time they made the Eastern Conference finals, in the 1999-2000 season.