My first year covering the Indiana Pacers in sports media was 2014. The Pacers played the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals that year, and it was an incredible first experience for me. Unfortunately, that was also the last time the Pacers won a playoff series.
Until now.
On Thursday night, a decade of waiting turned into an all-out (and gold-out) celebration. After laying an egg in Game 5 as the Pacers have done many times this year, Indiana responded with passion in Game 6, which is also something they’ve done many times this year. The hardest game to win in the playoffs is the closing game of a series, especially when facing a team that has experience. The Pacers responded by winning all four quarters, winning the series 4-2, and sending the “too small” Milwaukee Bucks home.
TJ McConnell played the game of his life with 20 points, nine assists, and four steals. Obi Toppin had 21 off the bench. Nembhard and Nesmith combined to shoot 11-for-19 while playing great defense. All of these role players stepped up to give plenty of help for Haliburton and Siakam.
After the game, I asked Haliburton if this game proved his team was growing up:
“Maybe part of the growth, but there’s still a lot for us to do. A lot of us have never been in that situation. In game 5, we felt like we were maybe trying not to lose than to win. We needed to be more aggressive, and I thought we did that today.”
And now, the Pacers get to see an old friend in their next match-up. Hicks vs. Knicks. Reggie vs. Spike. Indy and the Garden. Hibbert blocking Melo. That’s right, the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals are set: And it’s time for another chapter in the Pacers vs. Knicks story.
The Knicks will present a different challenge than the Milwaukee Bucks. Point guard Jalen Brunson is playing like his hair’s on fire. Hoosier alum OG Anunoby is playing great for the Knicks as well. And they are a very tough-minded team that plays physical, and tries to wear you down with defense, rebounding, and toughness.
Intriguing story-lines to watch: 1. Siakam vs. Anunoby- Former teammates for the Raptors will square off in Round two. 2. Haliburton vs. Brunson- Even though these guys are friends, Pacers/Knicks fans (and Wally) have a history of comparing the two players. 3. Josh Hart- He’s made multiple comments about the state of Indiana over the past year, and you know these fans will let him hear about it all series. 4. Obi Toppin- Obi played for the Knicks before being traded to Indiana and was largely under-appreciated there. The Pacers need a big series from Toppin against his former team. 5. Carlisle vs. Thibodeau- Two highly respected coaches that have completely different styles. What adjustments will they make throughout the series, and will that be the difference?
The first four games are set: Games 1 and 2 will be in New York on Monday and Wednesday. Games 3 and 4 will be back in Indiana next Friday (May 10th) and Sunday (May 12th).
Eight teams remain, and the Pacers are one of them. It’s May. It’s warm. And the Pacers are still playing basketball. Let’s see what happens next.
Tyler Smith covers the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Hoosiers for IndySportsLegends and is a frequent contributor to the Journal Review. He is also the youth and sports pastor at New Hope Christian Church.z
