The New York Knicks will head back to Madison Square Garden after repeated injuries are reducing their chances of making the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson, who made it to the same conversation as Michael Jordan multiple times this postseason, was left helpless today after the Indiana Pacers scorched the Knicks at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Even though there is one more game left in the series, the Pacers fans couldn’t wait to celebrate their victory today, which came with an assist from franchise icon Reggie Miller. 

The Pacers took Game 6 by defeating the Knicks, 116-103, and fans with yellow shirts brought back Reggie Miller’s iconic celebration. In a post from X, a young fan wearing Tyrese Haliburton’s jersey recreated Miller’s choke sign during the last few minutes of the game. 

In Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Reggie Miller dropped 25 points in the fourth quarter to erase the Knicks’ 12-point lead after the third quarter. This gave the Pacers a 3-2 lead in the series, but the highlight was Miller’s trash talk with Knicks super fan and Hollywood director Spike Lee. Miller and Lee went back and forth all game. The Pacers legend got the last laugh and went on to put his choke sign on display for the first time to silence the Madison Square Garden. 

Ever since then, the Pacers have used this signature celebration to mock their opponents. Well, Miller’s choke sign came in handy today, but that was not the only thing that helped the Pacers. 

Knicks piled up with injuries: Is this the turning point for the Pacers? 

The Knicks made it to the Conference Finals 24 years ago. In 2000, they faced the Pacers in the East Finals and lost 4-2. This is their perfect chance for them to change the narrative, but injuries are a hindrance. Julius Randle was ruled out of the season several months before due to a shoulder injury. Mitchell Robinson injured his ankle in the first round against the Sixers. OG Anunoby, who has won the Knicks a few crucial games, had a hamstring injury in Game 2 against the Pacers. 

Now, it’s Josh Hart, who had severe abdominal pain halfway through the game today. The young shooting guard has been a rebounding monster in the playoffs this year. He is tied with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic for the most rebounds in the playoffs this season with 134.

After the abdominal injury, he was benched by coach Tom Thibodeau. Later in the fourth quarter, he headed back to the locker room. Game 7 might end up in favor of the Indiana Pacers, who will be back to a familiar place if things go right.