INDIANAPOLIS — From 1993 through 2000, the Knicks and Pacers met different times in the postseason.
On three occasions, the two teams decided the Eastern Conference’s champion.
History is starting to repeat itself three decades later.
The longtime rivals met in a seven-game, Eastern Conference semifinal series a year ago.
This May, they are both back in the Eastern Conference finals, after pulling off second-round upsets.
While last year’s series went the distance, this version has been more entertaining so far, three games determined by six points or less.
Each team has blown a big lead. All three contests have been up for grabs in the final minute.
It is reminiscent of the 90’s.
And don’t expect either team to go away. They are both positioned to be good for a long time, led by star point guards in their prime, Jalen Brunson for the Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers.
“It’s competitive. Look, there’s a lot of history that goes back a lot of years,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said ahead of Tuesday night’s Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “When I was an assistant here I think we played them three years in a row [in the playoffs]. It’s great competition. We have a high level of respect for how they compete, and their fan base, you play at the Garden, it’s one of the ultimate environments. And we have one of the ultimate environments here. It’s always really good competition. … It’s a great series. There’s a lot going on. But we’re trying to stay focused on the process that works for us the best, and it’s not an easy process and the Knicks certainly aren’t an easy opponent.”
The Knicks’ core of Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson are all under contract through next season and nobody is older than 28.
Only Robinson and Bridges are free agents after next year. Pacer stars Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are locked up for the foreseeable future, as are key role players Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.
“We’re still a young team,” Carlisle said. “There’s growth happening all the time.”
the Knicks. NBAE via Getty Images
ESPN insider Shams Charania believes the Pacers are capable of getting even better.
“They’re turning into a destination [for players],” Charania said recently on ESPN. “That’s a big statement. Players look at Tyrese Haliburton, look at Pascal Siakam, look at what the front office has done. They’ve been so good at identifying ‘dogs’ — identifying players they know want to win and want to compete.”
The Celtics could take a step back next year, with Jayson Tatum’s status unclear following his torn Achilles tendon injury. There are young teams on the rise, like the Pistons and Magic.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court
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The Cavaliers figure to be in the mix after winning 64 games, but falling in five to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The rest of the conference better get used to seeing the Knicks and the Pacers battle it out in the playoffs.
It’s hard to see either falling off too much, considering their projected continuity and youth.