The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are meeting once again in the playoffs, and this time there is an NBA finals berth on the line. The New York-Indiana postseason rivalry gets its newest chapter in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, as one team will make the NBA Finals for the first time in at least a quarter century. Game 1 is set for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks are in the East finals for the first time since 2000 after knocking out the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the second round in six games. The Knicks also ousted the Detroit Pistons in six games in the first round, and Jalen Brunson has been phenomenal throughout the playoffs. Brunson is averaging 28.8 points in the 2025 postseason and has been great in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers got here by knocking out both the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. Indiana beat the Knicks in the second round last season to make the Eastern Conference finals, where they got swept by the Celtics.
The Pacers have not been to the NBA Finals since 2000, when they beat the Knicks in the East finals to get there. The Knicks have not been to the NBA Finals since 1999 … and, of course, they beat the Pacers in the East finals to get there.
Below is the complete schedule for the Eastern Conference finals.
Eastern Conference finals schedule
All times Eastern
Game 1: Wednesday, May 21 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 2: Friday, May 23 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 3: Sunday, May 25 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 4: Tuesday, May 27 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 5: Thursday, May 29 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 31 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 7: Monday, June 2 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Knicks vs. Pacers odds
Odds via FanDuel
- Series odds: Knicks -148, Pacers +126
- Game 1 odds: Knicks -4.5, O/U 223
Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 1 best bet
The Pacers have never quite figured out Jalen Brunson. He opened last year’s playoff series with 43 points at home in Game 1. He got hurt in Game 2 and still reached 29. When the series shifted back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5, he scored 44. Another injury limited to 17 in Game 7 a year ago, He scored “only” 26 in his lone home game against the Pacers this regular season, but that came on only 19 shots. Brunson almost always shoots quite a bit more in playoff games. He’s averaging over 22 shots this postseason. When he’s at home, he’s going to score against Indiana. The Pick: Brunson Over 28.5 Points
