New York Knicks Win a Thriller Over the Indiana Pacers
Talk about a reversal of fortunes. If you were looking for the same dramatic flair we saw last May when the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks clashed in the Eastern Conference Finals, well, you got the drama—but the context? That’s a whole different ball game.
Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse felt less like a grudge match between equals and more like two ships passing in the night. One speeding toward title contention, the other trying to patch a leaky hull. The Knicks, fresh off popping bottles in Vegas after their NBA Cup victory, rolled into Indianapolis riding a serious high. Meanwhile, the Pacers are just trying to keep their heads above water without their captain, Tyrese Haliburton.
A Tale Of Two Trajectories
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Indiana is hurting. Losing Haliburton to a torn Achilles in the Finals was a gut punch that the franchise is still reeling from. Add the departure of Myles Turner, and Head Coach Rick Carlisle is essentially trying make up wins with a roster that looks drastically different from the squad that made that deep playoff run. At 6-20, coming into this game, morale has been tested.
On the flip side, New York is looking like the bully on the block. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 (if you count the Cup games), and the vibe is immaculate. Jalen Brunson is doing Jalen Brunson things, and the supporting cast is stepping up in ways that make Knicks fans dream of June.
The Knicks’ Depth Is No Joke
You know a team is dangerous when the bench unit comes in and arguably plays better than the starters. That was the story in the NBA Cup final against the Spurs, and it bled right into Thursday night. Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson have been revelations. Kolek, in particular, looked comfortable running the show, dishing assists and hitting boards like a seasoned vet rather than a guy trying to solidify his rotation spot.
Josh Hart put it best when he talked about the team’s resilience. “Being able to go through adverse situations this early in the season is going to pay dividends later,” he said. And he’s right. When you can create momentum in the fourth quarter after trailing, that is the mark of a contender.
Indiana’s Fight Despite the Odds
Credit where it’s due, though. The Pacers didn’t just roll over. Andrew Nembhard is doing everything he can to fill the massive void at point guard, putting up career numbers. It is not easy to steer the ship when the waves are crashing this hard, but Nembhard and two-way player Ethan Thompson gave the home crowd something to cheer about early, jumping out to a 36-25 lead in the first quarter.
Coach Carlisle has been vocal about the “unacceptable” effort in previous losses, and his team clearly heard him. They played with a desperation that nearly stole them a win against one of the league’s hottest teams.
The Final Buzzer
In the end, though, talent and depth usually win out. The Knicks clawed their way back, winning the second and fourth quarters to squeeze out a 114-113 victory. It was a heartbreaker for Indy, who led for most of the game, but a testament to New York’s “never say die” attitude.
For the Knicks, it’s another check in the win column as they continue their march toward what they hope is a championship season. For the Pacers, it’s back to the drawing board, trying to find silver linings in a season that feels cursed by injury. But if Thursday proved anything, it is that even a wounded Pacers team has enough pride to make the big dogs sweat.
