INDIANAPOLIS – The NBA has finalized the schedule as the Indiana Pacers await their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The series will tip off on May 21 in either New York or Boston. The second-seeded Celtics staved off elimination Wednesday night by soundly defeating the third-seeded Knicks 127-102 despite a season-ending injury to star Jayson Tatum in the previous game.
The Knicks, who lead the series 3-2, have another chance to close out the Celtics on Friday night at home. A potential Game 7 would be played in Boston on Monday, May 19.
Since the Pacers are the fourth seed, they’ll start the series on the road, with Game 1 and Game 2 being played in either New York or Boston. All games will air on TNT/Max.
The series shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on May 25—which means it’s full-throttle for “Racers and Pacers” as that’s the same day as the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Here’s a look at the schedule (all times Eastern):
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 21 at Boston/New York, 8 p.m. on TNT
- Game 2: Friday, May 23 at Boston/New York, 8 p.m. on TNT
- Game 3: Sunday, May 25 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 8 p.m. on TNT
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 27 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 8 p.m. on TNT
- Game 5: Thursday, May 29 at Boston/New York, 8 p.m. on TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Saturday, May 31 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 8 p.m. on TNT (if necessary)
- Game 7: Monday, June 2 at Boston/New York, 8 p.m. on TNT (if necessary)
The Pacers advanced to the conference finals by beating fifth-seeded Milwaukee in the first round and top-seeded Cleveland in the second round.