Knicks-Pacers Game 1 Shatters Viewing Records—What Sparked the Surge in Eastern Conference Finals Frenzy?

There’s just something electric about a Game 1 that grabs eyeballs like a magnet—and the recent showdown between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers did just that, shattering viewing records for an Eastern Conference Finals opener that hadn’t been touched since 2018. The packed house at Madison Square Garden was mirrored by millions glued to their screens, with the viewership on TNT peaking at a jaw-dropping 8.5 million right when the final buzzer-beater sent the game into overtime. It was a rollercoaster of emotions—New York holding a sizable lead, only to watch it slip away as Indiana mounted a furious comeback. And honestly, with Tyrese Haliburton’s toe-on-the-line buzzer-beater pushing the match beyond regulation, I’m still catching my breath from the drama. The series felt like destiny calling, especially considering the Knicks hadn’t danced this deep into the Eastern Conference Finals in over two decades. If you’re hungry for the full lowdown on this high-stakes thriller and what it means for both teams heading forward, dive into the details here: LEARN MORE.

The Knicks are in their first Eastern Conference Finals series since 2000, when they lost to Indiana in six games. In a rematch of last year’s second-round matchup, the Knicks kept a close lead for much of Game 1.AdvertisementThe Game 1 barnburner between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers became the most-watched Eastern Conference Final Game 1 since the Celtics and Cavaliers squared off in 2018.

The Game 1 barnburner between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers became the most-watched Eastern Conference Final Game 1 since the Celtics and Cavaliers squared off in 2018.

Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.According to TNT, Wednesday’s game at Madison Square Garden averaged 6.6 million viewers and peaked at 8.5 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET, when the game was in its final minutes.