The Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks 138-135 in a thrilling Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night. The Pacers trailed by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter, but Aaron Nesmith sparked a late surge with three consecutive three-pointers, cutting the deficit to two points with under a minute remaining.
Key Moments
- Tyrese Haliburton’s Near Game-Winner: Haliburton attempted to seal the win with a three-pointer, but his shot fell short. Replay revealed that his toe was on the line, making it a two-pointer instead of a game-winner. The Pacers were down by two points at that moment, and time was running out.
- Desperation Shot: Haliburton’s desperation shot tied the game at the end of regulation. "I hoped I had won it," he said after the game.
- Overtime Victory: The Pacers won in overtime after Andrew Nembhard made a go-ahead basket with seconds left. Jalen Brunson missed a layup attempt over Karl-Anthony Towns, who also committed an error trying to block Brunson from behind, earning him an additional foul call.
Knicks’ Performance
According to ESPN Analytics, the Knicks’ win probability peaked when they were up late in the fourth quarter. This loss marks only their second defeat this postseason for New York (53-29), who have been led by Julius Randle throughout their run through Brooklyn and Philadelphia en route to this series against Indiana (48-34).
- Coach’s Concerns: Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau expressed concern about several players’ availability going forward due to injuries sustained during Game 1:
- Josh Hart suffered an ankle injury while attempting a dunk.
- Quentin Grimes has been dealing with knee issues.
- Immanuel Quickley has been battling back spasms throughout the series against the Brooklyn Nets.
"We’ll see how everybody feels tomorrow," Thibodeau said, adding, "We’re not getting any younger."
Player Highlights
- Julius Randle: Finished with team-highs of 35 points and seven rebounds, despite shooting just four-for-nine from beyond the arc and struggling from the free-throw line, making only six-of-eight attempts.
- Jalen Brunson: Contributed 32 points off the bench for the Knicks, who will look to bounce back on Friday night when they host Game Two against the Pacers.
- Tyrese Haliburton: Led Indiana with 28 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, seeking to continue the momentum gained from a strong performance in Game 1.
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