Reggie Miller's Final Call on TNT Career Revealed During NBA Playoffs
The Eastern Conference playoff field is down to its final two contenders: the third-seeded New York Knicks and the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers. In a postseason filled with surprises, these two storied franchises are set to reignite one of the NBA's most intense rivalries.
This matchup is a nostalgic throwback to the fierce battles of the 1990s. The Knicks and Pacers faced off in the playoffs six times from 1993 to 2000, including showdowns in the first round (1993), conference semifinals (1995, 1998), and conference finals (1994, 1999, 2000). The rivalry was reignited briefly in 2013 and again in 2024, and now continues with another high-stakes showdown in 2025.
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Adding to the history, Fox Sports' Rachel Nichols reported that the final NBA series to be broadcast on TNT, before the network's current TV deal expires, will feature none other than Reggie Miller, a Pacers legend and a central figure in the Knicks-Pacers saga, on the call:
"Knicks-Pacers with Reggie Miller on the call - the final NBA series TNT will broadcast as their current TV deal expires. What a fitting way to go out."
Since 1993, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have clashed in the NBA playoffs eight times. Indiana holds the edge historically, having eliminated the Knicks in five of those eight series, including five of the last six meetings.
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The most recent came in 2024, when the Pacers edged the Knicks in a dramatic seven-game showdown. Overall, Indiana also leads the all-time postseason win tally between the two franchises, 26-22.
Reggie Miller, former Indiana Pacers star.© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
This rivalry is packed with memorable moments, bitter exchanges and playoff drama that was classic during the 1990s NBA landscape.
1993: The rivalry began in the first-round series, highlighted by the infamous trash-talking battle between Reggie Miller and John Starks, which culminated in Starks headbutting Miller.
1994: This was the series that heightened the feud. With Spike Lee taunting Miller courtside, the Pacers star famously responded with his legendary "choke" gesture, despite later airballing a potential game-tying three in the final seconds of one game.
1995: Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the rivalry came in Game 1, when Reggie Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to steal a win at Madison Square Garden. Indiana finally got past New York in this series, shaking off their previous postseason struggles.
1998: The Knicks were without their star center, Patrick Ewing, and the Pacers capitalized to win another tight series.
1999: In a stunning turn, the 8th-seeded Knicks upset the Pacers in the Conference Finals in six games. New York went on to reach the NBA Finals, becoming the first 8-seed in history to do so.
2000: Reggie Miller was at it again, scoring a playoff career-high 41 points to lead Indiana past New York. The Pacers reached the NBA Finals but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2013: A new generation took the floor, with Miller retired and the Knicks boasting a revamped roster. Indiana again got the better of New York in the second round, before falling to the eventual champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2024: Last season's series reignited the flame, with the Pacers narrowly outlasting the Knicks in seven games.
Reggie Miller was the face of the Pacers during much of this rivalry. Though he never captured an NBA title, Miller scored over 25,279 career points and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
His legendary performances, especially at Madison Square Garden, cemented his place as one of the greatest playoff antagonists the Knicks have ever faced.
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Miller announced in February that he would be heading to NBC as a lead game analyst for the NBA.
Now, the rivalry returns for its ninth playoff chapter, with the Knicks hosting Game 1 on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. With familiar history and new stars ready to send their names into this rivalry, the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals promise to add another unforgettable page to one of the NBA's most heated feuds.
Related: Dwyane Wade Sends Strong Message to Jimmy Butler After Warriors' Elimination
Related: Steve Kerr Sends Clear Steph Curry Message After Warriors' Playoff Elimination
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