May 25, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS — The New York Knicks find themselves in a precarious position, trailing 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals after consecutive losses to the Indiana Pacers. As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 tonight, the Knicks must regroup to avoid falling into a deeper hole.
In Game 1, the Knicks suffered a heartbreaking 138-135 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden. Despite holding a 14-point lead with under three minutes remaining, New York couldn’t withstand a furious Pacers comeback. Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beating jumper forced overtime, and Indiana capitalized on the momentum to steal the win. Haliburton finished with 31 points and 11 assists, while Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 43 points .
Game 2 saw the Pacers continue their dominance, securing a 114-109 victory. Pascal Siakam delivered a playoff career-high 39 points, exploiting the Knicks’ defensive lapses. Haliburton contributed 14 points and 11 assists, orchestrating Indiana’s offense with precision. Brunson once again paced New York with 36 points and 11 assists, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Pacers’ balanced attack .
Throughout the playoffs, Brunson has been a standout performer, averaging 30.4 points and 7.7 assists per game. However, the Knicks’ reliance on his scoring has highlighted the need for additional contributions from the supporting cast .
Defensively, New York has struggled to contain Indiana’s offensive firepower. The Pacers have exploited the Knicks’ perimeter defense, shooting over 40% from beyond the arc in both games. Additionally, Indiana’s ball movement has outpaced New York’s, with the Pacers recording 26 assists to the Knicks’ 18 in Game 2 .
As the series continues with Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Knicks face a must-win scenario to keep their championship aspirations alive. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, with coverage on TNT and Max .
For a visual recap of Game 2’s highlights, you can watch the full game highlights below:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS