1999 Eastern Conference Finals Appearance
One step from the Finals, forever a milestone.
The 1999 Eastern Conference Finals appearance marked a defining moment for the Indiana Pacers, as the team reached the brink of the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Led by Hall of Fame guard Reggie Miller and coached by Larry Bird in his second season, the Pacers faced the New York Knicks in a hard-fought series that showcased the team's resilience and established them as a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Eastern Conference Finals appearance
- Affiliation
- Indiana Pacers
- First appears
- 1999 NBA Playoffs
- Status
- Historic achievement
- Result
- Lost to New York Knicks, 4-2
- Key player
- Reggie Miller
Lore & Background
The 1999 Eastern Conference Finals was a pivotal series for the Pacers, who had been building toward contention since the early 1990s. After sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals, Indiana faced the eighth-seeded New York Knicks, who had upset the top-seeded Miami Heat. The series was a defensive battle, with both teams relying on grit and star power. Reggie Miller averaged over 20 points per game, but the Pacers' chances were dealt a blow when Knicks center Patrick Ewing suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat and missed the rest of that series. The series went to six games, with the Knicks closing it out at Madison Square Garden, leaving the Pacers heartbroken but hungry for future success.
Reader's Guide
The 1999 Eastern Conference Finals appearance was a watershed moment for the Indiana Pacers, occurring during the lockout-shortened season. The Pacers, seeded second in the East, had never advanced past the conference finals in their history. They faced the New York Knicks, who had entered as the eighth seed but had upset the top-seeded Heat. The series was a grind, with four of the six games decided by single digits. The Pacers won Games 1 and 4 at home, but the Knicks took Games 2, 3, 5, and 6. The series highlighted the Pacers' defensive tenacity and Miller's clutch scoring, but ultimately, the Knicks' depth and Ewing's interior presence proved too much. This run set the stage for the Pacers' first NBA Finals appearance in 2000, making it a crucial step in the franchise's evolution.
Did You Know?
- Larry Bird was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1998, his first season with the Pacers, and led them to the conference finals in his second.
- Reggie Miller scored 32 points in Game 5 of the series, a high for the Pacers in the conference finals.
- The Knicks became the first eighth seed to reach the NBA Finals, a feat that remains rare in league history.
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