The New York Knicks are at home on Wednesday night as they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.
This marks the first time New York has been in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2000 and they are looking to make their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
Of course, the Knicks enter the series as the favorite after they were able to defeat the Boston Celtics in six games in the second round.
Despite this, the Pacers have been playing arguably the best they have all season, resulting in them eliminating the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the second round and they will be a tough test for New York.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) guarded by Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2)
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Because of this, the Knicks will look to have a hot start to the series on their home court in Game 1 on Wednesday night.
The good news for the Knicks is that they enter the Eastern Conference Finals with a clean injury report as they have nobody listed on it.
This is massive news for the Knicks after Jalen Brunson had been dealing with an ankle injury for most of their playoff run and Karl-Anthony Towns was dealing with a hand injury in the second round.
Myles Turner
Oct 25, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Despite this, both players have been able to play through their injuries thus far at a high level and New York will need them to continue to produce throughout this series if they want to make a run at the NBA Finals.
On the other side, the Pacers also enter Wednesday’s contest with a clean injury report as they have only one player listed on it.
That player is Isaiah Jackson, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
Tyrese Haliburton
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton handles the basketball against the New York Knicks.
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Fans can catch Wednesday’s Game 1 matchup between the Pacers and Knicks at 8:00 p.m. EST on TNT.