Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference Finals New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Game 1 Preview- Will the Pacers Steal Game 1 at Madison Square Garden?

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks will face off against the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The stakes could not get any higher for both the teams as the Pacers haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 2000, while the Knicks haven’t played in the Finals since 1999. It has been exactly 52 years since the New York Knicks won the NBA title, and the last time they were in the Eastern Conference Finals, they were knocked off by the Indiana Pacers (4 games to 2), adding further fuel to this long and fierce rivalry. Meanwhile for the Pacers, they have never won an NBA championship so far, and Tyrese Haliburton and the rest of the group can finally deliver a championship to the city.

The series can easily go to 7 games, and expect this series to be highly competitive as both teams are hungry to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Let’s dive deeper.

TWO OF THE CLUTCHEST IN THE NBA 🥶

Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson are set to square off in the Eastern Conference Finals tonight!

📺 IND-NYK | Game 1 | 8pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/TlmJ5c3zHt
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2025

New York Knicks’ Outlook

City of New York has been running wild ever since they took down Boston Celtics, in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Knicks managed to beat the reigning champions in 6 games, and they absolutely dominated the Celtics in Game 6, who were without their best player, Jayson Tatum, on the floor. Now that the Knicks are ready to face the Pacers once again in the Eastern Conference Finals, they have a chance to advance to the NBA Finals and win it all this season, something that even the great Patrick Ewing could not achieve while playing for the Knicks in the 90’s. This will mark the second straight season, that the Knicks will face the Pacers in the NBA Playoffs, as New York was knocked out of the second round last season after 7 games.

Also Read: Who Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Cousin in the NBA?

The Knicks were down bodies in the postseason last year, however, this year they are in full strength this time and we wonder if the Knicks can finally get over the hump this time.

🔒 pic.twitter.com/zOSbMkXx3b
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 20, 2025

Indiana Pacers’ Outlook

The Indiana Pacers have surprised everybody in the NBA this postseason, as they knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks in 5 games in the first round, and the No.1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games again, in the second round. According to a survey, Tyrese Haliburton, was rated as the most overrated player of the NBA, however, he has been on a mission to prove everyone wrong as he’s been amazing in the postseason so far, knocking down multiple game-winning shots. The Pacers are arguably the deepest team in the NBA, in terms of their roster’s depth. And Rick Carlisle has done an amazing job coaching them so far.

The Pacers beat the Knicks last season in 7 games, but ultimately came up short against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Pacers can beat any team at any given night, and they have a good chance to steal Game 1 from the Knicks tonight.

past & present: a series 25 years in the making 😈 pic.twitter.com/J2yhddGiH3
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 20, 2025

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Injury Report

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are healthy for the most part, and will only be missing Isaiah Jackson from tonight’s action, as he managing a torn right Achilles tendon.

Also Read: Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 1 Result: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Dominates As OKC Crushes Minnesota Despite Julius Randle’s Effort

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are fully healthy to take on the Indiana Pacers.

Where to Watch New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals?

Catch the New York Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, on Wednesday, May 21, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Game 1 will be broadcasted live on TNT and TruTV. You can also stream the game on MAX.

Go-ahead or game-tying shots within the last 2 minutes of a game this season:

Brunson – 16 (1st in NBA)
Haliburton – 10 (4th in NBA) https://t.co/MeKbZe5jPY pic.twitter.com/t0QMFZxwAP
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 21, 2025

Knicks vs. Pacers Head-to-Head

The Knicks won two out of the three matchups in the 2024-2025 regular season. They Pacers and Knicks have faced off 198 times in the regular season till this date, and the Knicks are currently leading with 102 wins over Pacers’ 96 wins. Look for the matchup to be extremely competitive as the rivalry between these two teams have existed for a long time.

Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2025 Knicks vs. Pacers Injury Report: Who Has the Edge Going Into Game 1?

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.