Who will be the X Factor in the Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference Finals?
The Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers might get tight. Here are the players who we think might be able to break through and tilt the series.
Expect it to be a star-studded affair inside Madison Square Garden.
There’s always celebrities in the arena whenever the New York Knicks are at home, but the ante will be turned up a notch as the team hosts its first Eastern Conference final home game since 2000. As New York has embarked on its 2025 playoff run, more stars have shown up. It’s a given to see loyal fans such as Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan in attendance, but the Game 6 clincher against the Boston Celtics in the second round brought out a flock of stars. Timothée Chalamet, Bad Bunny, Russell Wilson and Lenny Kravitz were just some of the many notable people in the crowd.
While the world has drastically changed since the last appearance, you can always count on high-profile people sitting courtside for the Knicks, and several will be there for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“Mad Men” star Jon Hamm made a mad man out of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton after snagging a loose ball on the sidelines that Haliburton believed he could’ve kept inbounds. The incident happened with 2:55 remaining in the second quarter as the Knicks led 58-54. Haliburton tipped the ball away from New York’s’ OG Anunoby and attempted to gain control before it bounced out of bounds. Haliburton immediately went up to referees after the play to complain of interference by Hamm, but nothing came of it.
TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy joked, “If you are going to be a Knicks fan, help them.”
Singer Mary J Blige performed during halftime at Madison Square Garden, but the “Inside the NBA” crew unfortunately had the responsibility of broadcasting the half-time show through Blige’s performance. Midway through his halftime report, commentator Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t hold off dancing any longer. He jumped out his seat and started grooving to Blige. “I can’t take it no more Ernie (Johnson),” O’Neal said as he danced. Kenny Smith appeared to get the dancing bug next because he also jumped up to dance: “I can’t control it either.”
Singer Mary J Blige was the halftime performer at Madison Square Garden for Game 1. The New York City native performed her hit single “Family Affair.” She’s used to rocking out halftime shows. She performed at the Super Bowl 56 halftime show in Inglewood, California in February 2022.
“Wonka” star Timothée Chalamet has the golden ticket — a front row seat at Madison Square Garden for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He’s been a staple at Knicks home games this season and Wednesday was no exception. The New York City native paired orange pants and a striped orange button-up with Timberland boots. Chalamet didn’t attend the game with girlfriend Kylie Jenner this time, instead he sat next to fellow Knicks superfan Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan.
Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia isn’t the only New York legend in the house.
Ten-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who played for the Knicks from 2011 to 2017, was on hand to watch his former team compete. He was seated next to former Knicks teammates Amar’e Stoudemire (2010–2015) and J. R. Smith (2012–2015).
Patrick Ewing, another Knicks icon, was on hand for Game 1. The 11-time All-Star played for the Knicks from 1985 to 2000 and currently serves as the Knicks’ basketball ambassador. He helped surprise a fan wearing his Knicks jersey during a game break and presented her with another to add to her collection. Ewing’s No. 33 jersey was retired by the Knicks on February 28, 2003.
The champ is here. Walter “Clyde” Frazier Jr. led the Knicks to two titles in 1970 and 1973, which remain the franchise’s only NBA championships to date. Frazier looked dapper in a red and black suit as he waved on the Jumbotron.
Tracy Morgan, David Chappelle in the building
Comedian and Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan arrived at Madison Square Garden in style for Game 1. He donned a white shirt featuring a bloodied photo of Knicks guard Josh Hart that reads, “Standing on Bidness.” The image is from the Knicks’ 127-102 Game 5 loss to the Celtics on May 14, when Hart got elbowed in the face by Boston’s Luke Kornet. He got stitches on the gash above his eye and returned to the game with a bandage. The back of Morgan’s shirt reads, “Revenge.”
He’s not the only comedian in the building. David Chappelle and “Saturday Night Live” star Michael Che were spotted on “Celebrity Row” next to Morgan.
Suni Lee is in the building
Olympic gold medal gymnast Suni Lee is having a flipping good time at Madison Square Garden. She was spotted on Celebrity Row and earned a loud applause from the crowd after being shown on the Jumbotron.
Josh Hart manifested Lee’s appearance. During Lee’s visit to MSG on April 6, OG Anunoby exploded for a team-high 32 points in a win over the Phoenix Suns. That led Hart to request her appearance during the playoffs: “We need Suni (Lee) or Anne Hathaway at every game during this playoff run.”
This isn’t Lee’s first playoff appearance. She attended Game 2 of the first round series between the Knicks and Detroit Pistons on April 21, but the Knicks’ good luck charm wasn’t enough. They were defeated by the Pistons 100-94, but ultimately won the series.
Rapper Fat Joe in the house
The New York native leaned back in his courtside seats at Madison Square Garden. Fat Joe was spotted dapping up Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau before tipoff.
CC Sabathia spotted
A New York legend is in the building. Former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia was spotted on Celebrity Row. The six-time All-Star led the Yankees to a World Series championship in 2009, the last title for the Yankees.
Stars are just like us — They get starstruck too.
TNT commentator Kenny Smith offered fans an inside look into how players feel competing in front of a star-studded crowd, especially in New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.
“You cannot glance to the left. You cannot glance to the right. You have to stay focused in, because there’s Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, all the famous rappers that you’ve ever wanted to talk to. They are here tonight,” Smith said on the “Inside the NBA” pre-game show. “When you’re in the Eastern Conference Finals, you have to knock that out and not pay attention to any of that.”
Larry David won’t have to curb his enthusiasm tonight at Madison Square Garden. The actor and comedian was spotted courtside alongside “Curb Your Enthusiasm” co-star Susie Essman. David even got a shout-out on TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pre-game broadcast. “I need to ‘Curb my Enthusiasm,'” host Ernie Johnson joked after spotting David.
What time is Knicks vs. Pacers?
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers tips off Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch Knicks vs. Pacers: TV, streamTime: 8 p.m. ETLocation: Madison Square Garden; New YorkTV: TNTStream: Max, Sling
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