Time has a funny way of bringing things full circle.
The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks had one of the most intense rivalries through the 1990s, thanks in large part to Reggie Miller—the Knick Killer. He earned that nickname by singlehandedly taking victory from the jaws of defeat in front of the Knicks’ faithful in Madison Square Garden.
Reggie Miller the Knick Killer
Tuesday marks the anniversary—18 years to the day—that Miller killed the Knicks in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
With only 18.7 seconds left in the game, Reggie Miller scored eight of his 31 points (two consecutive three-pointers and two free-throws) in just under nine seconds to put the Pacers ahead 107 – 105, giving the Indiana the victory. After making the free throws that ultimately won the game, Miller turned courtside towards New York superfan and film director Spike Lee to say some choice words (which were blurred on television).
The infamous choke sign that Reggie is remembered for having made (also in the direction of Spike Lee) occurred in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, when he dropped 25 fourth quarter points on the Knicks in the Garden en route to 39 and a 93 – 86 victory.
It’s only fitting that, on the 18th anniversary of the game that earned Miller his nickname, the Knicks and Pacers are playing each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks host the Pacers in Game 2 in MSG Tuesday night and will be looking to even the series after being dominated by Indiana in the first game of the series.
Reggie will be on hand for the game as a part of TNT’s broadcast coverage team.
One thing that we can be sure of, he won’t have a hard time locating Spike Lee on his way to the media table.
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