5 most incredible moments of Reggie Miller's NBA career

Reggie Miller puts his hands up. [Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]
Reggie Miller puts his hands up. [Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]

#3 Indiana Pacers reach NBA Finals for the first time, Reggie Miller scores 17 points in 4th Quarter

Reggie Miller (right) is guarded by John Starks [Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images]
Reggie Miller (right) is guarded by John Starks [Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images]

The Indiana Pacers had never reached the NBA Finals before or since Reggie Miller played for them. During the 1999-00 season, Miller's team made it to the championship round by defeating their nemesis, the New York Knicks.

Sensing that the moment that had eluded him for so long was finally within reach, the five-time All-Star made sure to finish off the Knicks for good. Reggie Miller scored 34 points overall. with 17 of them coming in the fourth quarter.

He drained three 3-pointers on 3-of-3 shooting, and made an immaculate 8-of-8 from the charity stripe to propel the Pacers to the Finals for the first time in franchise history.


#2 Taunting Spike Lee and a 25-point 4th quarter

Reggie Miller (right) beats John Starks off the dribble [Photo by Manny Milan/Sports Illustrated]
Reggie Miller (right) beats John Starks off the dribble [Photo by Manny Milan/Sports Illustrated]

In Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Reggie Miller would put on a show that would be worthy of a “30-for-30” documentary by ESPN later on. The series was tied after four games as the two teams returned to New York.

Indiana were down by 12 points heading into the fourth quarter, and they needed the heroics of their superstar to get them out of the bind they were in. Reggie Miller obliged.

Waging a personal battle courtside against Knicks superfan Spike Lee, Miller put on a dazzling show. After scoring just 14 points in the first three quarters, the future Hall of Famer exploded for 25 points in the fourth as he put his hands around his neck while facing Lee to signify that his Knicks choked in the final 12 minutes.

It was classic Miller, as he and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Knicks 93-86 behind 39 points from the sharpshooting guard.


#1 8 Points in 9 Seconds

Reggie Miller at the line against the Knicks [Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE/Getty Images]
Reggie Miller at the line against the Knicks [Photo by Noren Trotman/NBAE/Getty Images]

The scene of arguably Reggie Miller’s greatest moment came during the 1995 Eastern Conference semi-finals against none other than their hated rivals, the New York Knicks. The Pacers, who led by 12 points going into the fourth quarter, were about to lose Game 1 of the series after squandering their advantage.

The Knicks were now ahead 105-99 with only 18.7 seconds remaining in the game. But Miller didn’t give up. He hit a quick 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds left in the game. Then he stole the ensuing inbound pass, and backed up to the 3-point line to nail another three to tie the game at 105-all.

The Pacers uncharacteristically fouled Knicks guard John Starks, but he surprisingly missed both free throws. Patrick Ewing grabbed the rebound off the second miss. but failed to make a shot.

Miller grabbed the board, was fouled by the Knicks before he calmly sank both of his freebies to give the Indiana Pacers a 107-105 lead with 7.5 seconds remaining. The Madison Square Garden crowd was stunned as the Pacers narrowly escaped with the win.


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