New York Knicks: Revisiting Rivalry With Indiana Pacers

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Oct 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

1994: Knicks def. Pacers, 4-3

If ever you’ve wondered why New York Knicks fans loved the teams of the 1990s, then this is your answer. In the first year without Michael Jordan, the Knicks and Indiana Pacers inevitably met in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals.

It was then that Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley, and John Starks led the Knicks to the first NBA Finals appearance in over 20 years.

New York won Game 1 100-89 behind a beautiful all-around effort. Patrick Ewing had 28 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks, Charles Oakley poured in 20 points and 13 boards, Greg Anthony had 16 points, Hubert Davis scored 12, and Anthony Mason tallied 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Game 2 was no different, as Ewing posted 32 points and 13 rebounds, and Derek Harper tallied 18 points and eight assists in an 89-78 victory.

New York would go on to lose the next three games of the series, however, as Indiana dominated on defense to take a commanding lead. John Starks saved the Knicks with 26 points in an iconic 98-91 road victory over the Pacers in Game 6 to tie the series at 3-3.

In Game 7, it was Big Pat who sent the Knicks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1973 with 24 points, 22 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks, and a steal in a 94-90 war.

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