The Indiana Pacers have taken firm control of the Eastern Conference finals after defeating the New York Knicks 114–109 in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Friday. In a performance powered by Pascal Siakam’s playoff career-high 39 points, Indiana not only stunned the home crowd but also walked away with both road games, putting them ahead 2–0 in the best-of-seven series.
While Game 2 lacked the late-game drama of Game 1—when the Pacers erased a nine-point deficit in the final minute to win in overtime—it may have dealt an equally severe blow to New York’s title hopes. The Knicks now face the daunting task of trying to claw back against a Pacers team riding a wave of momentum, having won six consecutive road playoff games. Indiana now stands just two victories away from its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
A Tug-of-War Until the Fourth
New York held the upper hand for much of the first half, but Siakam’s scoring spree kept Indiana within striking distance. The score was tied at 81 entering the fourth quarter, with Siakam contributing 32 of those points. Once the final period began, the Pacers pounced. They opened the quarter with a 13–4 run while Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau gave star guard Jalen Brunson a brief rest.
That brief benching proved costly. By the time Brunson returned, Indiana had built a nine-point lead, which the Knicks were unable to overcome despite a late surge. Brunson finished with 36 points and 11 assists, but his final attempt to tie the game—a deep three-pointer with nine seconds remaining—fell short.
The Knicks’ “Big Three” of Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges combined for 76 points. Towns scored 20 but sat out much of the fourth quarter in favor of center Mitchell Robinson, who added hustle plays and nine rebounds.
Siakam’s Signature Moment as a Pacer
Friday night belonged to Pascal Siakam. Acquired midseason from the Toronto Raptors, Siakam delivered his finest game in a Pacers uniform at the perfect time. He shot 15-of-23 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and contributed five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Siakam was the only Pacer to crack 20 points, but it was a collective effort behind him. Myles Turner scored 16, and five others—Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell—finished in double figures.
Haliburton also posted a double-double with 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, marking his seventh of the postseason.
Knicks Falter Again in Crunch Time
Just as in Game 1, New York’s late-game execution proved to be their undoing. Trailing by three with just over 30 seconds remaining, the Knicks slowed their pace rather than pushing for a quick, high-quality shot. Brunson dribbled away most of the clock before finding Josh Hart for a layup with under 15 seconds to play. It wasn’t enough.
Following that basket, Brunson fouled Nesmith on the inbound, and the Pacers forward calmly sank two free throws to restore the lead to three. Brunson’s last-second three was off the mark, sealing Indiana’s victory.
Despite being known for late-game heroics in earlier playoff rounds—and with Brunson named the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year—the Knicks haven’t been able to match Indiana’s poise under pressure in this series.
The Towns-Robinson Conundrum
A key subplot in Game 2 was Thibodeau’s decision to bench Karl-Anthony Towns for a significant stretch in the fourth quarter. Towns, though efficient offensively, struggled defensively and finished with a game-worst minus-20 rating. In contrast, Robinson, who had one of his most active games of the season, played with high energy and helped the Knicks stay competitive on the boards.
Whether Thibodeau sticks with this substitution pattern—or considers a larger lineup shakeup—will be a storyline to watch as the series shifts to Indiana.
Knicks Face Historical Odds
With Game 3 set for Sunday night in Indianapolis, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Knicks. No NBA team has ever come back from a 0–3 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Out of 157 previous attempts, none have succeeded.
The Pacers now have a golden opportunity to close in on a long-awaited return to the NBA Finals. For the Knicks, the margin for error is gone—and Game 3 is a must-win.
