Not long after the Indiana Pacers booked their tickets to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 130-109 win in Game 7, Reggie Miller trolled the New York Knicks on Instagram. Miller posted a video from Game 2 of Josh Hart telling him the fans were chanting ‘F*** you’ at him and claimed that it was the moment that changed the series.
“When the series CHANGED!! Jalen Brunson you’re a true BALLER, been the best player in these playoffs, but you and your boys can all heal up together on some beautiful beaches in Cancun, please enjoy!!”
Miller was just rubbing some more salt in the wounds by stating all the injured Knicks players can recover together in Cancun. I’d also say that all those injuries were what changed the series, not this moment, but I am not surprised that the Pacers legend stated otherwise.
The Knicks seemed to be in control when they went up 2-0 in this series, but it all started going downhill after that. OG Anunoby suffered a hamstring injury in Game 3, which meant he joined Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic on the sidelines.
The Knicks lost Games 3 and 4 in Indiana with so many key pieces being out but bounced back with a 121-91 win in Game 5. Unfortunately, Josh Hart then suffered an abdominal strain in Game 6 and the Knicks ended up losing 116-103.
Hart played through the pain in Game 7 but just wasn’t quite effective. Anunoby tried to play as well but was taken out after being on the court for just five minutes, as it was deemed too risky to keep him in. To make matters worse, Jalen Brunson fractured his left hand too in the contest.
I am not sure I’ve ever seen a team have this many injuries in the playoffs in all the years that I’ve followed the NBA. It was a mini-miracle that this series even ended up going the distance. Unsurprisingly, head coach Tom Thibodeau has come under fire for his team being ravaged by injuries. I think you can perhaps place the blame for Anunoby and Hart’s injuries on him, but not the rest.
Reggie Miller Previously Said He Owns MSG
Miller, of course, has quite a history with the Knicks. He had many incredible battles with them in the postseason during his career and was the villain in New York back then. Before Game 2, Miller assumed that role again by claiming that he owned Madison Square Garden.
“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?”
While Miller had some iconic moments at MSG like when he famously scored 8 points in 9 seconds back in 1995, it wasn’t actually a venue where he won a lot. Miller had a 7-27 record at The Garden in the regular season and was 6-12 there in the playoffs. That’s a 13-39 record when put together, which means he didn’t really own the building as such.
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