The iconic Knicks vs. Pacers rivalry from the 1990s has been rekindled in 2024 as the teams face off in the second round of the Playoffs. TNT commentator Reggie Miller was a fixture of their six playoff battles in the ’90s and was getting serenaded with f**k you chants by Knicks fans, something Josh Hart went over and told him to make sure he knew.
“I think they’re saying f**k you!”
BRO JOSH HART LMFAOOO??? pic.twitter.com/rba3TPF9Vz
— Bones🦴 (@Boness305) May 9, 2024
The Knicks had secured an 11-point advantage with 22 seconds on the clock, so it makes sense that Hart took that moment to let Miller know how Knicks fans feel about him to this date.
Crowd in MSG chanting "Fuck You Reggie" while Reggie Miller does the broadcast. pic.twitter.com/I5qSMPMCaz
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) May 9, 2024
Hart had a sensational outing in this game, putting up 19 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists as the Knicks won the contest 130-121. They now have a 2-0 lead in the series, successfully defending home court and heading to Indiana for Games 3 and 4.
If there had to be a Most Improved Player to be awarded in the NBA Playoffs, Josh Hart would likely be the top candidate. He’s averaging 18.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the playoffs after putting up 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in the regular season. He’s become one of the league’s highest-volume rebounders at 6’5″, stepping in and playing power forward in Julius Randle’s absence.
If the Knicks close the series out, it will be their first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years while the highest-paid player on the team sits out with injury.
Reggie Miller Didn’t Care About How Knicks Fans Will Treat Him
Reggie Miller knew he had to walk into MSG and sit in the commentary booth, visible to the tens of thousands of fans in the arena. Miller gave the Knicks a hard time in their classic rivalry from 1993 to 2000, as the teams met in six playoff matchups over those eight years. Their overall series record is tied at 3-3, with this being one of the best rivalries of the ’90s.
Ahead of his return to MSG, Miller made it clear he wasn’t scared of Knicks fans.
“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere. People are like, ‘Aren’t you worried about going back to NYC and calling a game?’ No. I’ve owned this city. I’ve owned this building, so why would I be worried to walk out there?”
Miller was the protagonist in most of the Pacers’ wins in this rivalry, with two iconic moments against the Knicks in the 1994 and 1995 Playoffs. In 1994, Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 12-point Knick lead and win Game 5 of the series. This performance is remembered as Miller trash-talked Spike Lee and ended the game with a choking gesture at Knicks fans.
The Knicks had won the 1994 series and went on to the NBA Finals, but the Pacers bounced back in 1995. Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to seal another clutch performance, helping Indiana to win. He averaged 23.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 35 playoff games. He is still loathed in New York for those excellent performances.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
