Battles between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers were hotly anticipated in the 90s, whether it was the regular season or the playoffs. NBA fans delighted in seeing Reggie Miller knock down 3-pointer after 3-pointer while talking trash to filmmaker Spike Lee.
They also loved the intensity of the Knicks squad, especially Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson. Whenever the two teams stepped onto the hardcourt, fireworks were expected.
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Who’s the dirtiest?
The hatred between the two teams never withered for a second. In one of the final games of the 1996-97 NBA season, the two basketball clubs were involved in an overtime thriller at Market Square Arena in Indiana. Even in the final minute, the momentum constantly shifted from team to team.
However, Miller put an end to this imbalance by knocking down two mid-range jumpers off sturdy Dale Davis screens. The similar plays sealed the 110-107 for the Pacers, and the Knicks, understandably, were irate. New York guard John Starks, in particular, complained about Davis’ screens, noting they were illegal. Reggie, the benefactor of those picks, clapped back with a bit of spice.
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“They’re the dirtiest team in the league,” Miller replied via the New York Times. “I could understand their frustration, but if anyone is going to set illegal picks, it’s them.”
Johnson, who had an isolation setup against Antonio Davis in the final 10 seconds of overtime, regretted failing to seize the opportunity. Larry’s fadeaway midranger, which would’ve given them a one-point lead, fell short.
“I wanted to go to the basket, but they played good defense,” Johnson said. “I shot a lousy shot, and it fell short. In that situation, if I had to do it all over again, I’d probably try to get a better shot. I pulled up on the shot and shot it short, that’s my fault.”
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When the dust settles
The Knicks-Pacers rivalry was one of the defining matchups of the 1990s. Their duels featured epic moments such as Miller’s eight points in nine seconds, his choking gesture to Spike Lee, Ewing’s putback slam in Game 7 of the 1994 East Finals, LJ’s four-point play in Game 3 of the 1999 East Finals, and many more.
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Uncle Reg may be one of the filthiest trash talkers in the game, but he has nothing but respect for the Knicks. Miller knows that the nitty-gritty basketball club pushed him to his limits every single time. And for that, he has nothing but gratitude.
“Yes oil and water do sometimes mix @nyknicks.. Patrick’s Knicks and my beloved @pacers used to go for the jugular every time we played against one another, but I have so much respect for Patrick because of his immense heart to the game of basketball. Will forever cherish the battles, iron sharpens iron,” Miller wrote on Instagram as he pays tribute to his rivalry with Ewing.
Indeed, those Knicks-Pacers games were marked by intense competition and sharp verbal exchanges. But Miller perfectly defined what those matchups truly meant. It was a battle between the best of the best, the cream of the crop. When the dust settled, it was all about respect.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.