Playoff basketball is not a friendly environment.
Some teams have established a rivalry over decades of postseason matchups while some have just begun to dislike each other. The Knicks vs. Pacers fits the former description.
The two teams regularly faced off in the 1990s while Patrick Ewing and Reggie Miller led their respective franchises. The most recent series between the two organizations proved the rivalry is still very much alive. Former players joined the 2024 fight from the sidelines, all while current players jawed on the court.
Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers got the last laugh as they defeated the Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Miller, who is now an analyst on the TNT broadcast, couldn't help but chime in on Indiana's success.
The Sporting News takes a look at Haliburton and Miller's postgame antics in 2024.
MORE: Revisiting the Spike Lee vs. Reggie Miller beef
Tyrese Haliburton wears Reggie Miller choke hoodie
Haliburton recognizes the chokehold Miller has on Knicks fans and players from the 1990s. He brought back those nightmares in 2024.
As if the loss wasn't enough to depress Knicks fans, Haliburton rocked a hoodie with Miller's iconic choking symbol on the front.
Tyrese Haliburton is RUTHLESS 🤣
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 19, 2024
He wore a hoodie with Reggie Miller on it doing the choke sign after beating the Knicks in Game 7 😈
📸: @AngelaMoryanTV pic.twitter.com/zdeH0pKCAM
The picture of Miller comes from Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana had won three straight to overcome a 2-0 deficit of the Knicks. Miller clearly labeled the Knicks as chokers for blowing the series to a team that won 10 fewer games in the regular season.
Naturally, it was Indiana that choked the 3-2 series lead and New York went on to the 1994 NBA Finals. The gesture is what's mostly remembered, however.
Regardless of how the series finished, Miller's photo has continued to resurface on the internet.
MORE: Pacers set playoff shooting percentage record in Game 7 win vs. Knicks
Reggie Miller trolls Josh Hart, Knicks for "F— you Reggie" chants
Perhaps the turning point in the 2024 series came at the end of Game 2. The Knicks won 130-121 powered by a dominant third quarter in Madison Square Garden.
Knicks fans were their typical brash selves, chanting "F— you, Reggie" while the Hall of Famer broadcasted the game. Josh Hart walked over to Miller during a free throw to let him know what the fans were chanting.
"I don't know if you heard but I think they're saying, 'F— you,'" Hart said.
Miller revisited the moment in a post on Instagram after Indiana closed out the series at the Garden in Game 7.
"When the series CHANGED!! Jalen Brunson you’re a true BALLER, been the best player in these playoffs, but you and your boys can all heal up together on some beautiful beaches in Cancun, please enjoy!! #PacersKnicksRivalryLives #GodDontLikeUgly."
Reggie Miller taking SHOTS at the Knicks 💀
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) May 20, 2024
(via: @ReggieMillerTNT) pic.twitter.com/iy2LX2xL8z
Miller, while trolling the Knicks, does have some truth to his statement. The Knicks could certainly use some rest. Whether that's at home or on the Cancun beaches is up to the players.
New York sustained half a dozen serious injuries this season, all of which were on its top players.
| Player | Injury |
| Julius Randle | Shoulder |
| Jalen Brunson | Foot, hand |
| Mitchell Robinson | Ankle |
| O.G. Anunoby | Hamstring |
| Josh Hart | Abdomen |
| Bojan Bogdanovic | Foot |
The Pacers move on to the Eastern Conference Finals for a date with the No. 1 seeded Celtics.
