Knicks, Pacers Play Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 After 25 Years

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are set to face off in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, marking the Knicks' first appearance in the ECF since 2000. The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and bolstered by the recent acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns, upset the defending champion Boston Celtics in six games and enter the series as favorites with a clean injury report. The Pacers, led by All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, also come off a strong playoff performance, having eliminated the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, though they will be without Isaiah Jackson due to a torn Achilles. This matchup revives a storied rivalry, with the two teams having met multiple times in the playoffs, including the Pacers' seven-game second-round victory over the Knicks last year. The winner will advance to the NBA Finals to face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or Minnesota Timberwolves. Fans can watch the game live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET.