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It’s do or die for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks trail the Indiana Pacers 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals as the series shifts back to New York’s Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Thursday. Expect ‘Celebrity Row’ to turn out in droves.
Longtime Knicks fan Spike Lee made his first appearance of the series during the Pacers’ Game 4 win over the Knicks, and its safe to say he got an icy reception from Indiana fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. ESPN personality and former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee gave Lee, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet a WWE style lashing during the fourth quarter: “Lets send these sons of (expletives) back to New York.”
GAME 5 LIVE UPDATES: Knicks host Pacers in must-win game
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Hall of Fame singer-songwriter and Indiana native John Mellencamp was not a fan of McAfee’s rant.
“I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team,” Mellencamp wrote on X. “The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life.”
Will Lee, Stiller and Chalamet be courtside in New York? Will McAfee dare show his face in the Big Apple? We got you covered. USA TODAY Sports is tracking all the stars that make an appearance during Game 5:
Ben Stiller invites Pat McAfee to Game 5. Will McAfee come?
McAfee opened up about his viral moment with Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee during Game 4 on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday: “They asked me to do that in the fourth quarter and I wasn’t gonna say no.. would like to let them all know, mad respect for coming out… all love.”
Stiller reposted the clip on his Twitter account, writing, “Come to game 5 Pat!!”
Although the Knicks fans want to return the… um… hospitality, McAfee said he “will not be at Madison Square Garden tonight.” Mcafee frankly said: “I’m not paying $70K for a ticket.”
Stiller, however, is in attendance. He has attended every game of the Eastern Conference Finals so far, but has yet to see the Knicks win at Madison Square Garden. He’s hoping Thursday is the night.
Spike Lee is back in the Garden. The Academy Award-winning director, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a superfan in October 2024, donned a blue and orange pinstripe suit to Game 5, paired with a blue fedora and his signature glasses. He stopped by the “Inside the NBA” pregame show, along with TNT commentator Reggie Miller. The two have history. If you remember, Lee and Miller went back and forth with each other during the Pacers’ Game 5 win over the Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, where Miller dropped 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter. Miller flashed his infamous choking gesture at Lee.
“It’s all love,” Lee said Thursday. Miller added, “We will forever be intertwined because of this.”
Lee’s commitment to the Knicks is unwavering, as he has been a season-ticket holder since 1985. His fandom, however, dates back to his childhood in Brooklyn. Lee has often shared that one of his most memorable moments as a Knicks fan was attending Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when New York won its first championship.
Knicks legend Patrick Ewing in the house
Knicks legend Patrick Ewing was on hand for Game 5. The 11-time All-Star played for the Knicks from 1985 to 2000 and currently serves as the Knicks’ basketball ambassador. Ewing’s No. 33 jersey was retired by the Knicks on February 28, 2003. HE stopped by the “Inside the NBA” pregame show to say hello to host Ernie Johnson.
What time is Pacers vs. Knicks?
The New York Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. New York KnicksTime: 8 p.m. ETLocation: Madison Square Garden (New York)TV: TNT, truTVStream: Sling TV, Fubo, Max
Watch Knicks vs. Pacers Game 5 on Sling
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Contributing: Elizabeth Flores