Pacers bring a 2-0 lead over The Knicks
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May 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) defends Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) on a follow through for a game-winning three-point basket in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Tony Bradley had a point and two key rebounds in the Pacers' 114-109 win over the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
It's as close to a must-win game as you can get without it being a must-win game. The New York Knicks go into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals having dropped Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers in overtime.
Pacers 138, Knicks 135. The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks, 138-135 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tyrese Haliburton forced overt
In one of the wildest NBA playoff games ever at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers, trailing by 16 points in the fourth quarter, rallied past the Knicks in a 138-135 overtime thriller in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.
Still, because Haliburton's foot was on the line, the Knicks could avoid making history if they could recover in overtime. Instead, it was much of the same as the Pacers kept rolling, with Andrew Nembhard doing most of the damage with seven points in the extra period.
Jalen Brunson had 43 points and five assists. It marked the 11th time he has had at least 35 points and five assists in a single playoff game during his time with the Knicks. Only seven other players have had a similar stat line in a postseason game in franchise history. Karl-Anthony Towns showed out, too, dropping 33 points and making 10 rebounds.
The Indian Pacers are the greatest comeback team in NBA history. Sure, other teams have had some shocking comebacks, but this many in all these clutch situations? This many playoff comebacks? If you need more convincing, there is this stat from Tom Haberstroh ( his The Finder substack is a must-read):
On Wednesday, it was the Knicks yielding a late double-digit lead to a furious Pacers surge, then falling 138-135 in overtime to complete one of the most stunning games of an NBA playoffs that had already set a high mark for drama.