The Pacers lead the postseason series 5-3.

NEW YORK–The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks meet in the NBA playoffs for the 9th time. They tipoff their 2025 Eastern Conference Finals series Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

“This is a great time of year. It’s a great opportunity. It’s a matchup that has history. Madison Square Garden as an environment is one of the very best,” said Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle.

The Pacers lead the postseason series 5-3. When the teams have met in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks won in 1994 and 1999 — when they reached the NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed — and the Pacers won in 2000.

As for the 2024-25 regular season, the Knicks beat the Pacers two out of three times.

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The Pacers average 118 points per game while the Knicks average 107. Indiana also has a 2.5 assist to turnover ratio while New York has a 1.7.

In the regular season, the Pacers averaged 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes (seventh most in the NBA). The Knicks averaged 97.08 (fourth fewest). In the playoffs, the Pacers are averaging 99.3, while the Knicks are at 95.3.

It’s clear the Pacers want to play up tempo. Pacer guard Tyrese Haliburton said this week that will be a focus with everyone as they have a “wear your down” mindset.

“TJ McConnell loves to pick guys up fullcourt. We have our backups continue our pace within our offense. If they keep their guys on the floor, keep playing the way we do. Then when our first group gets back in there, we keep it going,” said Haliburton.

Haliburton says it’s fitting that it comes down to them vs the Knicks for the right to go to the NBA Finals.

“It’s obviously a storied rivalry between two franchises. To add another chapter to it is going to be a lot of fun,” said Haliburton.

Haliburton has averaged 18 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds in the postseason. He’s also hit two game-winning shots, one against Milwaukee and another against Cleveland. All five of the Pacer starters and Bennedict Mathurin have averaged double figuring scoring in the playoffs.

The Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson’s 29 points per game. Their five starters are also all averaging double figures.

In 2024, the Pacers eliminated the Knicks from the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Carlisle says the Knicks are better than last year.

“They’ve retooled their team. Their wings that are versatile who can guard are a big part of that. We have been trying to do the same thing here,” said Carlisle.

Games 1 and 2 are in New York. Games 3 and 4 are in Indianapolis with Game 3 being this Sunday, which is the same day as the Indianapolis 500.