Reggie Miller's 8 Points in 9 Seconds (1995 Playoffs)

Lore & Background

The 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals pitted the Pacers against their bitter rivals, the New York Knicks. Game 1 at Madison Square Garden was a defensive slugfest, and with under 20 seconds left, the Knicks led 105-99, seemingly in control. Then Reggie Miller, known for his sharpshooting and flair for the dramatic, ignited a sequence that would defy belief. He caught an inbounds pass, pump-faked John Starks into the air, and drained a three-pointer. Before the Knicks could exhale, Miller intercepted Starks's inbound pass, stepped back behind the arc, and fired again—swish. Tied at 105. The Knicks' Anthony Mason was fouled but missed both free throws, and Miller grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and calmly sank two free throws to give the Pacers a 107-105 lead. Patrick Ewing's potential game-tying shot rimmed out, and the Pacers escaped with an improbable win.

In Their Own Story

The Garden was a cauldron of noise, Knicks fans already tasting victory. Reggie Miller, eyes locked, moved without the ball. The pass came; he caught, pump-faked John Starks into next week, and launched—swish. The crowd gasped, a collective inhale of disbelief. Then, a blur: he intercepted Starks's inbound pass, stepped back, and fired again—swish. Pandemonium. Miller turned, grabbed his throat in a choke sign, taunting the stunned Knicks faithful—especially Spike Lee, who had been heckling him all game. He then coolly sank two free throws, sealing a victory that felt like a dream. The silence in the arena was louder than any roar, broken only by the Pacers' celebration.

Reader's Guide

Reggie Miller's 8 Points in 9 Seconds is the gold standard for late-game heroics in NBA playoff history. Occurring on May 7, 1995, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden, the feat saw Miller score eight points in the final 18.7 seconds of regulation, with the decisive burst coming in just nine seconds. The sequence included two three-pointers and two free throws, turning a 105-99 deficit into a 107-105 victory for the Indiana Pacers. This moment is significant not only for its sheer improbability but also for its impact on the Pacers-Knicks rivalry and Miller's legacy. It demoralized the heavily favored Knicks and propelled the Pacers to a series win, eventually reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The '8 Points in 9 Seconds' remains a staple of NBA highlight reels and a testament to clutch performance under pressure.

Did You Know?

• Reggie Miller's eight points came in just nine seconds, but the entire sequence from the first three-pointer to the final free throw lasted 18.7 seconds of game time.
• After hitting the second three-pointer, Miller made a 'choke' gesture toward Knicks fan and superfan Spike Lee, who had been heckling him all game.
• The Knicks' John Starks was the primary defender on Miller's first three-pointer, and Miller stole the inbound pass from Starks for the second three.
• Miller finished the game with 31 points, including 8 in the final 18.7 seconds, on 10-of-16 shooting.