1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals vs Knicks

Lore & Background

The two teams first met in the first round of the 1993 NBA Playoffs. The Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Doc Rivers, and Coach of the Year Pat Riley had amassed a record—the best in the East—and earned the top seed in the East. The Pacers, with Miller, Rik Smits, Detlef Schrempf, and Dale Davis barely squeaked into the playoffs with a record, thanks to the tiebreaker over the Magic. The Knicks won the first two games at Madison Square Garden before the Pacers won the first of two at Market Square Arena. Game 3 is remembered as being a precursor for the next decade, as trash-talking between Miller and Starks culminated with Starks headbutting Miller in the 3rd quarter, leading to his ejection. The Knicks, however, took Game 4 and advanced (the playoff format had a best-of-5 first round until 2003) to defeat the Hornets before bowing out to the Bulls.

Reader's Guide

The first playoff meeting between the two teams was in 1993. Therefore, no entry for a 1992 series exists in the source.

Did You Know?

• The rivalry gave Miller the nickname 'Knick Killer'.
• The rivalry has been referred to as the 'Hicks vs. Knicks'.
• The Pacers and Knicks played an exhibition game in September 1971, one of the first ABA vs NBA games ever played.