NBA Legend Reveals Stunning Knicks-Pacers Prediction Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan D. Massey | Last updated May 19, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are set to rekindle their old-school "Hicks vs. Knicks" rivalry in the Eastern Conference Finals this year. Both teams are loaded with talent and the series seems ready to offer must-watch entertainment.

Last year, the Knicks and Pacers met in the second round of the playoffs. Indiana pulled off a shocking Game 7 win on the road at Madison Square Garden to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. New York will be hungry for revenge.

Most of the national media seems to be favoring the Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals. However, there is one NBA legend who is picking the Pacers.

Former Boston Celtics superstar Paul Pierce spoke out about the upcoming series. He thinks Indiana will take the series and make it to their first NBA Finals since 2000, when the team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Pacers gonna pop y’all," Pierce said. "Pacers gonna get y’all… y’all beat an injured Celtics team.”

Paul Pierce calls out the Knicks

“Pacers gonna pop y’all. Pacers gonna get y’all… y’all beat an injured Celtics team.”

(h/t @Fullcourtpass )

pic.twitter.com/5L3Pln1Zdp
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 17, 2025

Ahead of the upcoming series, Andrew Nembhard spoke out with a strong message about why the Pacers are such a competitive and dangerous team.

"I think what makes us well equipped this year is the continuity. I think this team has been together two or three years," Nembhard said. "All the guys are getting more chemistry on the court together. We just feel each other, can move off of each other well. So, I think, over time the experience has given us, it makes us good."

Fans in Indiana are hoping that Pierce is right. The franchise has been desperately waiting for another shot at winning a championship. To this point, the Pacers have not won a single championship since joining the NBA.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals will be played on Wednesday night at 8 p.m.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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