The tension of the NBA Playoffs is always palpable, but during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, the off-court commentary stole just as much attention as the on-court action. In the middle of it all?
Reggie Miller, former Pacers legend turned TNT analyst, and Ben Stiller, the Hollywood actor and diehard Knicks supporter. As the Knicks entered Game 3 facing a 2-0 series deficit, head coach Tom Thibodeau made a high-stakes adjustment by inserting Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup, benching Josh Hart.
For many, it was a calculated risk in hopes of sparking life into a faltering series. For Reggie Miller, though, it was a sign of desperation. “This should be perceived as panic,” Miller said during the live TNT broadcast. “It needs to be jumped on.”
That commentary didn’t sit well with Stiller, who has been one of the most visible celebrity fans courtside at Madison Square Garden this postseason. With his signature deadpan tone, he clapped back on X (formerly Twitter): “Reggie Miller saying Robinson move should be perceived as panic and ‘jumped on.'”
A legacy of rivalry with a modern twist
This isn’t the first time Ben Stiller has taken aim at Reggie Miller. During the 2024 playoffs, Stiller photobombed Miller on live TV while pointing and yelling, “The Boogeyman!”-a nod to Miller’s villainous role in 1990s Knicks lore. It was part jab, part tribute, but all in good playoff spirit.
The Knicks-Pacers feud has always had larger-than-life characters. From Spike Lee‘s courtside theatrics to Miller’s infamous choke gesture, the rivalry is steeped in drama and emotion. Now, with Stiller and even younger stars like Timothée Chalamet courtside, the rivalry is getting a fresh coat of relevance.
Game 3’s atmosphere in Indianapolis was heightened by a tribute to Reggie Miller, who received a standing ovation at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As the greatest Pacer of all time, Miller’s career-spanning 25,279 points, five All-Star selections, and countless clutch moments-justifies the applause. But it doesn’t shield him from criticism.
Fans have called out his TNT commentary for perceived biases and odd takes. One moment in particular, when he called a difficult Jalen Brunson drive “just a layup,” drew widespread ire on social media. And this postseason, Miller’s misinterpretation of several calls has only fueled the narrative that he’s still living rent-free in Knicks fans’ heads.
Despite the heat, Miller remains a central character in this saga-now alongside actors and influencers. His back-and-forth with Stiller adds another layer to a rivalry that seems to reinvent itself every decade.
Even Tyrese Haliburton is paying homage. After burying a clutch three in Game 2, the Pacers star mimicked Miller’s choke gesture-a moment that sent fans straight back to 1995. It’s clear: the Knicks-Pacers story isn’t just history. It’s evolving with every game, every tweet, and every glance from celebrity row.
As the series continues, the stakes on the court are only matched by the theatrics off it. And whether or not the Knicks can claw back into contention, one thing is for sure-Reggie Miller vs. Knicks Nation, now with Ben Stiller as co-star, remains one of the most entertaining rivalries in basketball.
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