2024-25 Eastern Conference Finals Preview: No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

Matt Hanifan / NBA / May 21, 2025

Pacers Knicks — (Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

2024-25 Eastern Conference Finals Preview: No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 3 New York Knicks

One of the most exciting playoff series last year was Knicks-Pacers, a rivalry from the 1990s re-ignited. Well, now, we’re back, as the two teams are now squaring off for the Eastern Conference crown–not for a trip to go there.

New York and Indiana are both seeking their first NBA Finals appearance for the first time in over two dozen years, but who will be victorious? Let’s dive into our series preview below!

GAME	DATE	MATCHUP	TIME (EST)	TV
Game 1	Wednesday, May 21	Pacers @ Knicks	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 2	Friday, May 23	Pacers @ Knicks	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 3	Sunday, May 25	Knicks @ Pacers	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 4	Tuesday, May 27	Knicks @ Pacers	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 5*	Thursday, May 29	Pacers @ Knicks	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 6*	Saturday, May 31	Knicks @ Pacers	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Game 7*	Monday, June 2	Pacers @ Knicks	8:00 p.m.	TNT

What to know about the New York Knicks:

Starters:

Key Reserves:

At this time last year, Indiana knocked out New York to advance to the East Finals after the Knicks were the presumptive favorite to make it out behind Boston. Now, they’re back, hoping to have a repeat of what happened in 1999, when they beat Reggie Miller’s Pacers in six games in the East Finals.

New York acquired Mikal Bridges for a hefty haul of draft capital this offseason for the sole purpose of beating Boston … and it worked (which doesn’t mean the haul wasn’t a lot…). The Knicks looked half asleep during their matchups against Boston during the regular season, but a pair of ridiculous comebacks in Games 1 and 2 coupled with play from Bridges and Jalen Brunson, among others, buoyed New York past the Celtics in six.

What to know about the Indiana Pacers:

Starters:

Key Reserves:

T.J. McConnell

The Pacers are back in the Eastern Conference Finals like they never left! They downed Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in five games while pouncing on the shorthanded top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five. They’ve been dominant.

Indiana also became the first team in NBA History to come back from multiple 20-point deficits. The Pacers are never out of games due to their potent, fast-paced offense and sturdy defense, which has improved drastically over the last calendar year. Tyrese Haliburton has also been insanely clutch when it’s mattered most, which never hurts.

It’s hard not to be impressed with how Indiana’s ramped it up this postseason. Will it be enough to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2000?

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Key Questions:

1.) How many transition opportunities will Indiana get??

Indiana is as good as any team in the NBA at creating easy opportunities in transition. It does an excellent job pushing pace and making keen decisions after quick initial actions–especially Haliburton. He’s the head of the snake; he’s the captain of the ship.

The Pacers had the fourth-highest offensive rating in transition, while the Knicks had the 10th-best defensive rating in transition. A way to potentially close the gap in the rebounding battle is to get easy buckets in transition, but that may be easier said than done for the Pacers in what will be a more half-court-centric series.

2.) Can New York exploit Indiana on the glass?

While the Pacers have been far better on the glass, they were No. 18 in defensive rebounding percentage in the regular season, while the Knicks were a top-9 offensive rebounding team. Any way you can win on the margins in May is important. How both teams fare on the glass could decide the series.

3.) Can Indiana stay out of foul trouble?

We have two conference finals where the guards foul grift: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (well-deserved MVP) and Brunson. But the Knicks are fourth in the NBA in free throws per possession. Rick Carslile isn’t afraid of utilizing his depth, but the less foul trouble, the better!