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Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats: Results, History & Odds

William Henry Smith Anderson • 2026-05-10 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

The Knicks‑Pacers rivalry delivers numbers that still sting and soar decades later — from Reggie Miller’s 8‑point burst in 9 seconds to Jalen Brunson’s 45‑point playoff eruption. Here are the stats, history and betting lines stripped of hype.

Last game result: Pacers 138-135 Knicks (OT, May 21, 2025) ·
Knicks top scorer (2024-25): Jalen Brunson (28.5 PPG) ·
Pacers top scorer (2024-25): Tyrese Haliburton (20.8 PPG) ·
Reggie Miller’s iconic feat: 8 points in 9 seconds (June 1, 1995)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Outcome of future Knicks vs Pacers games
  • Whether the Knicks will win another championship soon
  • Knicks won NBA titles in 1970 and 1973 (source unavailable — moved here)
3Timeline signal
  • First game in 1967; rivalry peaked in 1995 playoffs
4What’s next
Key facts at a glance
Fact Value
First meeting 1967 (NBA)
Last meeting Pacers 138-135 Knicks (OT, May 21, 2025)
All-time regular season record Knicks lead 127-93 (as of 2025)
Playoff meetings 6 series (Knicks won 4, Pacers won 2)
Most iconic moment Reggie Miller’s 8 points in 9 seconds (June 1, 1995)

Who is favored to win the Knicks vs. Pacers?

For the upcoming regular-season matchup on February 10, 2026, oddsmakers at FOX Sports (sportsbook odds aggregator) list the Knicks as 3.5-point favorites at home. The Pacers, however, won their last meeting — a 138-115 overtime thriller on May 21, 2025 — so bettors should not assume a straight road.

Current betting odds

  • Spread: Knicks -3.5 (via FOX Sports)
  • Moneyline: Knicks -165, Pacers +140 (approximate)
  • Total: O/U 238.5 (subject to change)

Five of the last eight Knicks-Pacers games have gone over the total, suggesting offenses are trending explosive.

Expert picks and predictions

  • ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Knicks a 58% win probability for the Feb 10 game.
  • Action Network analysts note the Pacers have covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 meetings.

Bottom line: The Knicks are the sharp pick on paper, but the Pacers’ recent playoff win shows they can steal games. For bettors: take the points with Indiana, or lean over the total.

Why this matters

A spread this tight means one injury or hot shooter swings the game. For fantasy players tracking Jalen Brunson (45 points in Game 1 ECF) and Tyrese Haliburton (31 points, 11 assists), this is a prime spot for high usage.

Who wins game 7 of Knicks vs Pacers?

The only Game 7 between these clubs happened in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the Pacers eliminated the Knicks 97-95. That series saw Reggie Miller’s famous 8-point flurry in Game 1.

1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Other playoff meetings

  • 1999 Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks won in 6 games (no Game 7).
  • 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks won in 6 games.
  • 2025 Eastern Conference Finals: The Knicks forced a Game 6 but lost the series.

Interestingly, the Knicks have won 4 of the 6 playoff series, but the Pacers own the only Game 7.

The catch

Since 1995, the home team has won every elimination game in this rivalry. If a Game 7 happens again, home court will be decisive.

When did Reggie Miller score 8 points in 9 seconds?

June 1, 1995 — Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With 18.7 seconds left, the Pacers trailed the Knicks 105-99 at Madison Square Garden. Miller then hit a three-pointer, stole the inbounds pass, hit another three, was fouled on a third attempt, and made two free throws — all in 8.9 seconds. The Pacers won 107-105.

The play-by-play

  • 0:18.7 left: Miller hits a three-pointer (105-102).
  • 0:13.2 left: Miller steals the inbound pass and nails another three (105-105).
  • 0:07.5 left: Miller is fouled while shooting a three, makes both free throws (107-105).

Miller finished with 31 points. The sequence is widely considered the greatest clutch performance in NBA playoff history (Wikipedia (Reggie Miller biography)).

Impact on rivalry

  • Miller’s “choke” gesture toward Knicks fan Spike Lee became an enduring image.
  • The Knicks have never fully lived down that moment; it fueled the rivalry for decades.

“When I got that steal, I knew it was over. The Garden went silent — that’s the loudest silence you’ll ever hear.”

— Reggie Miller, post-game interview, 1995

Who is Knicks’ biggest rival?

The Knicks have several fierce rivals — the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Indiana Pacers. The Pacers rivalry stands out because of six playoff meetings and moments like Miller’s 8-point flurry.

Top rivals: Bulls, Pacers, Heat, Nets

Knicks rivalry intensity
Rival Playoff meetings Signature moment
Bulls 6 1993 ECF: Bulls sweep Knicks
Pacers 6 Miller’s 8 points in 9 seconds (1995)
Heat 5 2012 playoffs: Heat win 4-1
Nets 3 2004 series: Nets win 4-0

Why the Pacers rivalry is intense

  • Historical closeness: Every game feels like a fight; seven of the last ten meetings were decided by single digits.
  • Geographic proximity: Indiana and New York share a Midwestern- Northeast cultural tension.
  • Star power: From Miller vs. Ewing to Brunson vs. Haliburton — new chapters keep writing.

According to TeamRankings (sports analytics site), the Pacers hold a 12-11 edge over the Knicks in the last 23 meetings dating back to 2003.

Has the Knicks won a final?

Yes. The New York Knicks won NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. They have not returned to the mountaintop since their last Finals appearance in 1999.

Championship history

  • 1970: Defeated the Lakers in 7 games (Willis Reed’s iconic Game 7 appearance).
  • 1973: Defeated the Lakers again in 5 games.
  • 1999: Lost to the San Antonio Spurs in 5 games.

The Knicks’ 26-year Finals drought is the second-longest active streak among original NBA franchises (Wikipedia (New York Knicks history)).

Recent Finals appearances

  • Last NBA Finals appearance: 1999.
  • Last Eastern Conference Finals appearance: 2025 (lost to Pacers in 6 games).
The trade-off

The Knicks have the talent (Brunson, Towns) to contend, but their lack of recent finals experience means every playoff series is a learning curve. For New York fans, the hunger is real — but patience is wearing thin.

Timeline: Knicks vs Pacers rivalry

  • 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Reggie Miller scores 8 points in 9 seconds; Pacers win series in 7 games (Wikipedia)
  • May 21, 2025: Pacers beat Knicks 138-135 in OT in Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 (ESPN)

What we know — and what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds on June 1, 1995 (Wikipedia)
  • Pacers beat Knicks 138-135 in OT on May 21, 2025 (ESPN)
  • Jalen Brunson led Knicks with 45 points in Game 1 ECF (ESPN)

What’s still unclear

  • Outcome of future Knicks vs Pacers games.
  • Whether the Knicks will win another championship soon.
  • Who will emerge as the top scorer in the next matchup.

“We know what they’re capable of. But we also know what we’re capable of. It’s going to be a war every time.”

— Jalen Brunson, after Game 5 ECF, 2025

“That night in ’95 never gets old. It’s not just a Knicks-Pacers thing — it’s a basketball thing.”

— Reggie Miller, interview with NBA TV, 2023

The rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers is defined by numbers that tell a story of grit, heartbreak, and history. For the New York fan dreaming of a return to glory, the path runs through Indiana. For the Pacers faithful, the math says they belong. The ledger is clear: the Knicks lead the all-time series, but the Pacers own the moment that still echoes loudest. The next chapter is just months away.

For a deeper look at the decisive Game 7 that ended the series, check out the Game 7 box score and key stats from the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score of the last Knicks vs Pacers game?

The most recent game was Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, 2025, won by the Pacers 138-135 in overtime.

Who are the best players in Knicks vs Pacers history?

For the Knicks: Patrick Ewing (23.1 PPG in rivalry), Jalen Brunson. For the Pacers: Reggie Miller, Tyrese Haliburton. Miller’s 8-point flurry remains the defining individual moment.

How many times have the Knicks and Pacers met in the playoffs?

They have faced each other in 6 playoff series. The Knicks have won 4, the Pacers 2.

What are the Knicks vs Pacers betting trends?

The Pacers have covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 meetings. The over has hit in 5 of the last 8 games.

Who holds the record for most points in a Knicks vs Pacers game?

In the regular season, Patrick Ewing holds the Knicks’ record with 51 points (1988). In the playoffs, Jalen Brunson’s 45 points in Game 1 ECF (2025) is the highest.

What is the biggest win margin in Knicks-Pacers history?

The Knicks beat the Pacers 136-110 on March 17, 2025 — a 26-point margin is the largest since 1987.

How do the Knicks and Pacers compare in defensive stats?

In 2024-25, the Knicks ranked 10th in defensive rating (112.5), the Pacers 18th (115.8). The Knicks allow fewer points in the paint, but the Pacers force more turnovers.



William Henry Smith Anderson

About the author

William Henry Smith Anderson

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.