The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers met in six playoff series from 1993 to 2000. Their rivalry was epitomized by the enmity between Knicks superfan Spike Lee and former Pacers point guard Reggie MillerWho can forget Miller making the choke sign in front of Lee repeatedly to taunt the Knicks who had choked in the playoffs. But do they still hate each other two decades after Miller’s retirement?
Spike Lee addressed the issue during a roundtable with Ben Stiller, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Walt Frazier at the Fanatics’ Day.
During the show, host Kazeem Famuyide pointed out that the Knicks would face the Pacers in the 2024-25 home opener. Lee immediately made his dislike for the Knicks’ rivals clear, but revealed that he no longer has a problem with Miller.
The 67-year-old pointed out that the former Pacers point guard retired 20 years ago and they have now buried the hatchet. The two are now on good terms. Lee said:
“You know I don’t like them, but me and Reg, we’re cool though… This shit happened over 20 years ago. People still come up to me and Reggie and ask if we hate each other. There’s no hate between me and Reggie, we’re all good.”
Such sentiments would have been unthinkable at the height of the Lee-Miller rivalry. Their moments of passion have been iconic memories in league history.
But what sparked the embers of animosity between them?
A Brief Look at the Spike Lee and Reggie Miller Rivalry
Spike Lee has a habit of talking trash The New York Knicks’ opponents meet on the Knicks’ home court at Madison Square Garden. Reggie Miller, too, is known for his foul language. So they were bound to be in conflict, given how often their teams played each other.
Miller had a golden opportunity to taunt Lee when he scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, handing the Knicks three straight losses. The Pacers sharpshooter then made the famous choke sign to Lee to signify that the Knicks were buckling under pressure.
But it was the Knicks who had the last laugh and came out on top in this wild seven-game series. In Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds to end the Knicks’ streak. He did the choke again and helped his Pacers beat the Knicks in another seven-game series.
The Knicks and Pacers each won three of the six games they faced during the Reggie Miller era. But as Spike mentioned, those things are now history. Both legends have moved on.
