Both teams had to defeat tough teams in the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs to get to the penultimate round of the postseason; Indiana knocked down the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games and New York denied a repeat bid from the Boston Celtics by taking down the defending champions in six games.

This is the first time that the Knicks have made it to the Conference Finals since 2000.

Indiana had little trouble with the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, advancing past their division rival as Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning layup to clinch the series at home ...