Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller is one of TNT’s premier commentators and was in the booth for Knicks vs. Pacers in Madison Square Garden tonight. Miller has told everyone who’s worried about him being in MSG to rest easy given the history of success he has in the arena and in New York.
“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?”
Reggie Miller:
"People are like, 'Aren't you worried about going back to NYC & calling a game?' No. I've owned this city. I've owned this building.”
(h/t @NBA_NewYork)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 9, 2024
Miller is referencing his NBA Playoffs battles against the Knicks from the 1990s. Miller gave birth to the ’90s rivalry between the franchises that many have been reminiscing on as the Knicks and Pacers meet in Round 2 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Miller averaged 23.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 35 playoff games against the Knicks. He has a 3-3 record in playoff series against the Knicks, losing in 1993, 1994, and 1999 but winning in 1995, 1998, and 2000. It’s one of the most enduring rivalries of the ’90s and the new generation is just as feisty.
The Knicks won Game 2 against the Pacers 130-121. The Knicks had 124 points from the starting lineup alone, with Jalen Brunson putting up 29 points while OG Anunoby and Donte DiVincenzo contributed 28 points. Josh Hart put up 19 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists.
Reggie Miller’s Iconic New York Beef With Superfan Spike Lee
During the Pacers vs. Knicks rivalry in the 1990s, Knicks superfan Spike Lee found himself sitting courtside to watch Miller’s heroics in those matchups. As a result, the pair had an acrimonious relationship in the ’90s. The 1994 Playoffs served as the genesis of their feud, as Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of Game 5 while trash-talking Spike, who was courtside at MSG.
This matchup is also infamous for the infamous Reggie Miller choke gesture, as he ended the night with 39 points and a Pacers win, but ended up losing the series.
This incident was covered massively, with New York newspapers making it front-page news. Before the 2024 series between the franchises, Spike and Miller embraced and shared framed copies of the front pages from their 1994 interaction.
Spike 🤝 Reggie
Reunited in the Garden pic.twitter.com/L23QHZ3LDU
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2024
Miller added to his list of iconic moments against the Knicks in 1995 as the Pacers won their first series against New York. In Game 5 of this series, Miller would go off for eight points in 8.9 seconds, a scoring outburst we’ve only seen bettered by Tracy McGrady years later.
The current matchup between the Knicks and Pacers doesn’t carry the same animosity Miller’s era brought about, but the series is fascinating nonetheless.
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