May 7, 1995

This date may not be entirely familiar with the average New York Knick fan. Once you recognize it was the 1995 NBA Playoffs, and it was the second round, you have an idea of what Knicks' fans went through that Sunday afternoon. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Knicks and the rival Indiana Pacers had the city buzzing, mainly because of the gritty seven-game series both teams went through in the Eastern Conference Finals the previous year. In 1994, it was glorious for myself and other Knicks' fans as they took Game 6 in Market Square Arena and Game 7 at the Garden after trailing by double digits.

While the Knicks didn't complete the entire task of winning the championship, the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals series victory against the Pacers was great. Both teams met in the first round in 1993, and John Starks was ejected in one of the games after head-butting Reggie Miller, in which Starks was publicly ripped by his teammates on the court immediately after the head-butt. That got the rivalry started for years to come.

After the Knicks got by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Pacers were able to get by the Atlanta Hawks, it set up the third straight playoff meeting between the two teams. With the Knicks up 105-99 with under 20 seconds remaining, Miller hits a three-pointer, and applies pressure to the Knicks on the ensuing inbounds. Anthony Mason throws the ball to a stumbling Greg Anthony, and the ball falls right into Miller's hands. Miller goes on to drain another three-pointer. On the Knicks' next possession, Patrick Ewing missed a shot and Miller grabbed a rebound and was foolishly fouled. Two clutch free throws later, and the Pacers miraculously have a 107-105 lead, all because of Miller in a matter of seconds. The Pacers took a 1-0 series lead, and won Game 7 at the Garden as well to take the series.

That wasn't the only bizarre ending that day. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Chicago Bulls and the Orlando Magic happened also. With the Bulls up 91-90 and having possession with 20 seconds left, the Magic decided not to foul, going against conventional wisdom. Michael Jordan dribbled up the court with Nick Anderson trailing him, and as Jordan turned to his left, Anderson poked the ball away on his right side. Anfernee Hardaway led a two-on-one break and got the ball to former Bull Horace Grant, who slammed it home. The Bulls had a chance to take the lead back, but Jordan decided to pass the ball to Scottie Pippen, who left the vicinity of the pass in a miscommunication with Jordan. The Bulls lose Game 1, and lost the only series they would lose in an eight year span with Jordan.

Talk about a crazy day. For the Bulls, it wasn't anything major. Jordan was motivated after the series loss, and came back stronger than ever, leading the Bulls to a 72-10 record en route to a 1996 championship. He would add two more after that to cement his legacy as the greatest player ever. For the Knicks, the two home losses was devastating, as it robbed them of an opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year. The Knicks would not go back to the Eastern Conference Finals until 1999, where they defeated these same Pacers as an eight seed. However, with Jordan out in 1994 and not at full strength after his comeback in 1995, the Knicks had their opportunities to win championships and didn't capitalize. To this day, Knicks' fans are still hurting from this day.