The ’90s Called… And The Knicks Answered In The Eastern Conference Finals

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The ‘90s called… they want their NBA Eastern Conference Finals back. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, history is set to repeat itself as the New York Knicks face the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

After ripping through a six-game series against the Celtics in the semifinals, the Knicks are now struggling to find their rhythm against the Pacers, who have proven to be a tougher, more relentless opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals. While the names have changed—there’s no Reggie Miller or Patrick Ewing walking through that tunnel—the intensity, history, and narrative feel just as rich as they did decades ago.

These two storied franchises battled it out in the playoffs 6 times from 1993 to 2000. The rivalry was once defined by iconic moments—Reggie’s eight points in nine seconds, Larry Johnson’s four-point play, and the unforgettable clashes between Jeff Van Gundy’s Knicks and Larry Bird’s Pacers.

Now, 25 years later, Jalen Brunson’s Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers are taking the stage yet again. Last year, in 2024, these two franchise stars met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the Pacers captured the series in seven games.

Jalen Brunson, a product of the Villanova Wildcats’ championship pedigree, brings the same toughness, leadership, and winning mentality to the Knicks that defined his collegiate career. But now marks the beginning of a new playoff series where the stakes are higher, the lights are brighter, and the chance to win it all is well within reach. Who will come out on top once all is said and done?

It’s a series that’s about more than just basketball. It’s about the ghosts of the past colliding with the urgency of now. It’s about two cities, two franchises, and two stars battling for pride, glory, and a shot at the biggest stage in the sport.