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A barrage of 3–pointers. The "choke sign." A miracle comeback at Madison Square Garden.
The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 138-135 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals in overtime. It brought back striking memories to the Pacers' 93-86 victory against the Knicks in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals – when Reggie Miller led an incredible comeback and taunted Spike Lee. Tyrese Haliburton channeled Miller with a game-tying buzzer beater before Indiana pulled out the victory in overtime.
What were the comparisons between these two games? Which comeback was better? Who did the "choke sign" better? A look at the comparisons between Game 1 in 2025 and Game 5 in 1994.
Which Pacers' comeback against the Knicks was better in the Eastern Conference finals?
— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) May 22, 2025NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
Pacers comebacks Game 1 in 2025 vs. Game 5 in 1994
Which fourth-quarter comeback was better?
The Knicks led 90-87 heading into the fourth quarter of Game 1, stretched that lead to 17 points midway through the fourth quarter and still led by 14 with 2:53 left after a 3-pointer by Jalen Brunson. The Pacers have had some miracles this postseason, but did anybody think Indiana was coming back at that point? The Pacers closed with a 20-6 blitz to force overtime.
The Knicks had a 70-58 lead heading into the fourth quarter of Game 5 in 1994 – but it did not last long. Miller keyed a 17-2 run to start the fourth quarter, and the game was tied by the 8:06 mark in the fourth quarter. Indiana outscored New York 35-16 in the fourth quarter and controlled the game in the final minutes in front of a stunned Madison Square Garden.
Aaron Nesmith channeled Reggie Miller in Game 1
Let's give Aaron Nesmith some props, too. He had 20 points in the fourth quarter – including six 3-pointers. He hit his first 3-pointer with 4:45 left in the game, and he had 11 points in the final 51 seconds. Nesmith scored 30 points on 9 of 13 shooting. He was 8 of 9 from 3-point range for the game.
How good was Miller in that legendary Game 5 performance? He scored 39 points – including 25 in the fourth quarter. He hit five 3-pointers in that fourth quarter and finished 14 of 26 shooting. It's one of the most legendary fourth-quarter performances in NBA history.
Who did 'choke sign' better: Reggie Miller or Tyrese Haliburton?
Haliburton dribbled into the lane then back out to the 3-point line before hitting what appeared to be a game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Knicks. Haliburton flashed the “choke" sign. The best part? Reggie Miller was court-side as one of the announcers for TNT.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 22, 2025"Everybody's been wanting me to do it," Haliburton said on the TNT telecast afterward. "I was going to hold it for the right time. It felt appropriate. And then, you know, it went to overtime."
It was good – but not quite as good as the theatrics between Miller and director Spike Lee in 1994. Miller pulled out the "choke sign" with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter after the Pacers tied the score at 72. Miller then proceeded to continue to taunt Lee throughout the fourth quarter of the Pacers' shocking victory. When NBC sideline reporter Ahmad Rashad asked Miller about Spike Lee after the game, the response – “Spike who?"– was unforgettable.
Was Game 1 better than Game 5 in 1994?
The theatrics behind Game 5 in 1994 will always be better. Miller ignited one of the NBA’s best rivalries with that performance, but the Knicks still won the next two games to advance to the NBA Finals. Indiana got revenge in the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals.
The comeback itself, however? That has to go to Game 1. It was a hybrid of that legendary Game 5 in 1994 and Game 1 in 1995 – when Miller scored eight points in the final 9.8 seconds in a 107-105 victory. That’s another chapter in Knicks-Pacers lore that will never be forgotten.
On Wednesday, the Pacers were down nine points with 58.1 seconds remaining after a layup by Jalen Brunson. Nesmith had 11 points in the final minute, and Haliburton hit the legendary shot to tie the game – one that bounced high off the rim, into the air and through the hoop. It all happened in Madison Square Garden with Miller watching.
We give the edge to Game 1.
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