With the NBA Finals right around the corner and only one Eastern Conference slot left to fill, the chatter off the court is heating up just as much as the action on it.
As the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers head into a pivotal Game 6 on Saturday, some believe the league’s hand might already be tipping the scale. Longtime NBA voice Bill Simmons leads that speculation, who thinks the NBA might be getting too involved, especially with a potential Finals matchup that could feature a small market like Indiana or a major one like New York.
Simmons, never shy with his takes, openly questioned whether the league wants to avoid a low-ratings showdown between Oklahoma City and Indiana. With the Thunder already punching their ticket to the Finals, Simmons believes the NBA sees the Knicks as the only remaining path to a more marketable championship series. And he’s not just guessing, he’s connecting the dots to one of the most controversial games in league history.
Simmons Points To History, Hints At Patterns
“If Indiana wins one more game, we’re going to have an Indiana vs. Oklahoma City Finals,” Simmons said on his podcast.
“But if the Knicks win the series, we’ll have the Knicks in the Finals. And if you’ve noticed from ratings and interest, it’s a little more interesting nationally when there’s a New York team in the Finals.”
House and I horrified Mahoney a couple times last night and here’s one example — when Conspiracy Bill briefly took over my body. pic.twitter.com/4l6x6AaqV6
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 30, 2025
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To support his claim, Simmons referenced the 2002 Western Conference Finals- specifically Game 6 between the Lakers and Kings. That night in Sacramento remains a flashpoint for conspiracy theories around NBA officiating, with many fans and analysts believing the referees heavily favored Los Angeles to secure a bigger-market Finals.
“David Stern was like, ‘Not on my watch,’” Simmons recalled. “This is not happening. We are not letting this happen.”
With the Knicks poised to play in one of their most meaningful playoff games in over two decades, the conversation is shifting from injuries and matchups to the integrity of the game itself. Fans are already bracing for whistles that might lean toward Madison Square Garden’s side.
Yet, unlike 2002, today’s league already has its media rights locked in with Amazon, NBC, and ESPN. Financially, the NBA isn’t desperate for a blockbuster matchup- at least not on paper. However, when it comes to narrative, visibility, and legacy, the league still has plenty to gain with New York on the big stage.
As Game 6 tips off, fans will have their eyes not just on the scoreboard, but on the officiating crew as well.
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