The Pacers and Knicks hold a longstanding NBA rivalry, and those types of rivalries often revolve around fan bases more than the players.
During Indiana’s Game 4 win over New York in the Eastern Conference Finals, it was the Knicks’ high-profile fans who stood front and center thanks to a callout from the Pacers’ high-profile hype man, Pat McAfee.
The former Colts punter and current media analyst took the microphone to deliver a WWE-esque promo over the PA system at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. McAfee’s command of the crowd was undeniable.
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Here’s more from McAfee’s moment in the Game 4 spotlight.
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Early in the fourth quarter of Game 4, the Pacers held a 15-point lead over the Knicks and were on the verge of taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Planned or unplanned, Pacers game operations felt that it was the perfect time for McAfee to enter the spotlight.
With Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke’s “We Hit Turbulence” playing in the background, McAfee stood up from his courtside seat to deliver his message about New York’s famous fans in attendance.
“Indianapolis, Indiana, we’ve got some big wigs from the big city in the building!” McAfee began. “Spike Lee is here! Ben Stiller is here! Timothée Chalamet is here! Let’s send these sons of b—s back to New York with their ears ringing! Let’s. Turn. This. S—. Up!”
Incredible from Pat McAfee pic.twitter.com/QlNFC44SIA
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) May 28, 2025
McAfee strategically paused in between each name he rang off, allowing boos to rain down on each individual.
As he continued his speech, he appeared to get a nod of approval from Pacers veteran James Johnson, while a very locked-in Rick Carlisle did not acknowledge a hyper greeting from McAfee.
Indiana won the game and may have won even more, as the roars from Gainbridge Fieldhouse could be heard through the game’s television broadcast. There’s a good chance that at least some of the Knicks fans on hand made their way back to the Big Apple with their ears ringing.
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