When we think of sports rivalries, it’s usually two athletes or teams that come to mind. But what about a feud between a player and a super fan? That’s the story of Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller and Academy Award-winning director and New York Knicks superfan Spike Lee. It was one of the most interesting and unexpected rivalries in the NBA during the ’90s. You might wonder how a player-fan beef could last over two decades. Well, it’s all about pride, ego, and some unforgettable moments that left an entire arena stunned.

Let’s take a trip back to the ’90s when the Knicks and Pacers were in a fierce battle. From 1993 to 2000, these two teams clashed in the playoffs six times. Now, Spike Lee, being the die-hard Knicks fan he is, had a habit of trash-talking to opponents when they stepped onto Madison Square Garden’s floor. But Reggie Miller? He was just as notorious for his smack talk.

Naturally, these two were bound to clash. And clash they did, most famously during Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. After draining a crucial shot, the 5× NBA All-Star turned to Lee and made a choking gesture that became iconic. From that moment, the feud was on, with both parties trading barbs whenever they had the chance.

But as much as Miller enjoyed taunting Lee, it was the Knicks who had the last laugh in that 1994 series, winning it in seven games. However, Miller wasn’t done. Fast forward to Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, and he was back at it. After once again directing the choke signal at Lee, Miller delivered a performance that’s now part of NBA lore—scoring 8 points in just 9 seconds to snatch victory from the Knicks.

Over the years, the once fiery Pacers-Knicks rivalry cooled off, leaving fans with nothing but memories of those heated battles. But after the recent playoff matchup, it seems the rivalry is getting a second wind. The fanbase is heated, and there’s even speculation that their respective stars might duke it out off the court. However, while the team rivalry might be reigniting, the same can’t be said for Miller and Lee.

Spike Lee confirms his feud with Reggie Miller is over

As the last day of Fanatics Fest wrapped up, Spike Lee found himself on a lively panel with Ben Stiller, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Walt Frazier. When host Kazeem Famuyide brought up the Knicks’ upcoming home opener against the Pacers in the 2024-25 season, Lee didn’t miss a beat in expressing his usual disdain for the Knicks’ rivals. But what caught everyone off guard was his revelation that his infamous beef with Reggie Miller is a thing of the past.

“You know I don’t like them, but me and Reg are cool though… That sh** happened over 20 years ago,” Lee admitted. He went on to explain how fans still approach both him and Miller, asking if the animosity lingers. “There’s no hate between me and Reggie, it’s all good.”

Interestingly, Miller echoed a similar sentiment just last year. Reflecting on their long-standing feud, he shared that there’s no bad blood between him and Lee anymore. “He’s the face of the Knicks. I love him. We’re at a better place now in our relationship,” Miller said. However, the Pacers legend was quick to point out that while he’s cool with Lee, his disdain for the Knicks remains as strong as ever: “But in those moments and deep down in my belly, I’ll always have a disdain for the New York Knicks.”

It’s great for the NBA in general to see these two Eastern Conference powerhouses back at the top, duking it out for braggin rights.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.