25 Years Later, the Knicks Are Back—and So Are the Pacers
The Knicks Are Back, the Celtics Are Broken, and the Pacers Are Waiting
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000—and if you're still processing that sentence, you're not alone. While the Garden erupts in long-awaited joy, the Boston Celtics are staring down a summer of hard questions, heartbreak, and a ruptured Achilles.
Here’s what went down—and what comes next.
BEFORE we continue the celebration…
I have seen this Male Knicks fan who said if he had a sister he would let the whole team run a train on her and for that, he needs to be on a watchlist immediately. Male Knicks fans: let’s be better.
KNICKS NATION!!!! Thanks for reading MAYBE IT'S ME!!!! This post is public so feel free to share it!
Knicks Crush Celtics in Game 6 Blowout
In front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, the Knicks dismantled the Boston Celtics 119-81 on Friday night, clinching the series 4–2 and advancing to their first ECF in 25 years.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 33 points, while Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart combined for 11 steals, turning defense into fireworks. The Knicks capitalized on every opportunity, while Boston—without Jayson Tatum—crumbled under pressure.
“When Jaylen [Brown] fouled out late in the third, you could feel it was over,” Brunson said postgame. “We smelled blood and ran with it.”
Tatum’s Injury Shakes Boston’s Core
Game 4 wasn’t just a turning point—it was a gut punch. Jayson Tatum, who had been on a tear with 42 points, went down with a torn Achilles. He’s expected to miss 8–12 months.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla called it “two-fold heartbreak”: losing their star and the series in one fell swoop.
Now, the Celtics’ $500 million roster faces a looming reset. Al Horford and Jrue Holiday are aging out. Brown and Porziņģis could be trade bait. And Brad Stevens? He’s got his work cut out for him.
“No one’s untouchable when the mission is a banner,” Stevens said.
For Knicks Fans, This Is the Moment
The Knicks have gone from chaos to cohesion. This team plays with grit, poise, and joy—three things fans haven’t seen in tandem in decades.
Even with the Indiana Pacers in the next round, New York holds home-court advantage and an edge in energy. A Finals run isn’t a dream anymore—it’s a plan.
Knicks-Pacers: History, Reloaded
In an ironic twist of fate, the Knicks are set to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals—the very team that ousted them in 2000, the last time New York reached this stage.
Back then, the series was a chess match. Indiana took the first two at home. The Knicks stormed back at MSG. Then came Game 5. And in Game 6, the Pacers shut the door—advancing to face Shaq and Kobe in the NBA Finals.
That Finals appearance remains Indiana’s only trip. And the Knicks? They're looking to return to their first since 1999, when they made a Cinderella run as an 8-seed before falling to Tim Duncan’s Spurs.
Now, the rivals meet again on Wednesday May 21st 2025, decades later—with a new generation, a new energy, and a new chance to rewrite everything.
Whether you’re riding high on the Knicks wave, watching the Celtics’ unravel, or ready to send Indiana packing to cancun —hit that subscribe button. I’ll be watching the games and reporting back.
Stay tuned, stay sharp—and as always, stay loud, KNICKS NATION!!!