Overview

• The Knicks return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, reigniting their storied rivalry with the Pacers.
• Both teams advanced by defeating higher-seeded opponents, with New York eliminating Boston and Detroit, and Indiana beating Cleveland and Milwaukee.
• Key player matchup features All-Star point guards Jalen Brunson of the Knicks and Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers, both pivotal to their teams' playoff runs.
• The Knicks hold home-court advantage as the No. 3 seed, hosting Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden against the No. 4 seed Pacers.
• This series marks the ninth postseason meeting between the franchises, with Indiana leading the all-time series 5-3, including last year's Game 7 victory at MSG.