Pacers Forward Compares Knicks, Thunder Crowds During NBA Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 4:11 PM ET

While their season may not have ended the way New York Knicks fans had hoped, it was still the best they had finished in the past 25 seasons. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, but fell to the Indiana Pacers in the latest chapter of their storied rivalry.

Some had all but penciled in the Knicks in the NBA Finals after quite the convincing series win against the defending champion Boston Celtics. However, the Pacers took momentum right out of the gate with Tyrese Haliburton's signature shot and choke sign in Game 1.

Pacers forward compares Knicks and Thunder crowds during NBA Finals

The New York Knicks' home of Madison Square Garden is widely regarded as one of the best home courts and crowds in the NBA. However, Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin made a rather bold statement regarding their crowd.

While he admitted Madison Square Garden's crowd was "good," he believes the Oklahoma City Thunder's crowd at the Paycom Center has been better.

Bennedict Mathurin said New York’s Madison Square Garden crowd was “good,” but that OKC’s Finals crowd at Paycom was better.
— Derek Parker (@DParkOK) June 10, 2025

The Knicks now head into the offseason with relative uncertainty. Despite the appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks' upper brass chose to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons.

The Knicks had requested interviews with Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, but were denied by the team. The same went for their interview requests with Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch.

More uncertainty looms, as there have been rumors circulating about trading Karl-Anthony Towns. With the NBA Draft just two weeks away, it wouldn't be shocking to see the Knicks make a sizable move.

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

More must-reads: