Reggie Miller 8 Points in 9 Seconds (1995 vs Knicks)

Lore & Background

With 18.7 seconds remaining and the Pacers trailing 105–99, Miller took the inbound pass from Mark Jackson, made a 3-pointer, stole the inbound pass from Anthony Mason, dribbled back behind the arc and tied the game with another 3, stunning the crowd at Madison Square Garden. On the ensuing possession, Knicks guard John Starks was fouled by Sam Mitchell. Starks missed both free throws, and although Patrick Ewing managed to get the offensive rebound, his shot was just a bit long and hit the back rim. Miller got the rebound and was fouled with 7.5 seconds left. He made both free throws. Trailing by 2, New York had one last chance to win the game but failed to get a shot off, giving the Pacers a shocking 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

In Their Own Story

The Garden smelled like floor wax and hot dogs. Eighteen thousand people pressed the glass, their breath fogging the scorer's table. Miller dribbled at the top of the key, eyes locked on the rim, and the noise became a single low hum, like a jet engine winding up. He rose for the free throw. The ball kissed the net. The Knicks called timeout, but the clock kept its own logic. Back on the floor, he caught, pulled up, released the three from the left wing—swish, the net snapping like a whip. Another free throw, another three, and by the time the buzzer screamed, the scoreboard had flipped, the Knicks' faces had frozen mid-celebration, and a small man in a white #31 jersey was already jogging back on defense, hands on his hips, as if he had simply finished a Tuesday practice. The Garden did not cheer. It exhaled. A long, collective, disbelieving exhale that carried through the concrete and into the streets outside, where a thousand people who had not known the Pacers' name three minutes earlier now would never forget it.

Reader's Guide

This moment is widely known as 'Eight points in nine seconds' and is one of the most famous clutch performances in NBA playoff history. Miller's heroics helped the Pacers eventually win the series in seven games before losing to the Orlando Magic in the Conference Finals.

Did You Know?

• Miller scored eight unanswered points in 8.9 seconds.
• He made two three-pointers and two free throws during that span.
• The Pacers won the game 107–105.
• The Pacers outlasted the Knicks in seven games in that series.