NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers have taken a firm 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, leaving the New York Knicks stunned once again at Madison Square Garden with a 114-109 win on Friday night. The atmosphere was electric, but the Pacers’ relentless play quieted the home crowd and shifted momentum decisively in their favor.
Pascal Siakam was the star of the night, putting on a masterclass with 39 points. Every Indiana starter contributed in double digits, showing a balanced and potent offensive attack. Siakam set a new playoff career high, demonstrating his ability to carry the team, especially early on when he scored 23 points in the first half alone. His efficient shooting—15-for-23 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc—kept the Pacers in control as they built an early double-digit lead. Supporting him, Tyrese Haliburton slowly found his rhythm after a quiet first half, finishing with an impressive stat line of 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
The Knicks now face a steep challenge. Down 0-2, they must rally to avoid a deep hole, attempting to erase the deficit and force a turnaround similar to last season’s dramatic semifinal comeback—when they rallied against these very same Pacers and won Game 7 on their home floor to advance. The pressure mounts as Game 3 moves to Indianapolis this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, where the Knicks will need to find answers quickly.
On the flip side, the Knicks’ home-court advantage, once considered a major asset, is starting to feel like a missed opportunity. Much like the Boston Celtics did in the semifinals, the Knicks have now dropped the first two games at home. This leaves them needing to win four of the next five games—a daunting task if recent performances are any indication. The reserves struggled to keep pace late in the game, and despite Jalen Brunson’s 36 points and 11 assists, the team couldn’t close the gap. His effort, though heroic, was not enough to spark a comeback.
One glaring issue was New York’s interior defense. Indiana’s ability to penetrate the paint at will, especially in the fourth quarter, repeatedly exposed the Knicks’ defensive vulnerabilities. The Pacers attacked relentlessly, benefiting from the Knicks’ smaller guards. When they weren’t scoring uncontested layups or drawing fouls, the Pacers’ sharpshooters stepped up from the outside, piling on points and maintaining offensive pressure.
Josh Hart, often seen as a versatile and reliable guard for the Knicks, had an uncharacteristically quiet night. Early foul trouble limited his time on the court and prevented him from getting into any rhythm. His impact was minimal, ending with just six points on 2-of-3 shooting and six rebounds over 29 minutes. Hart’s inability to contribute significantly on either end was a blow to the Knicks, who needed all hands on deck.
As the series heads to Indianapolis, the Knicks must regroup quickly, tighten their defense, and find a way to slow down Siakam and the balanced Pacers attack. For Indiana, the confidence is high, and they’ll look to extend their lead and inch closer to the NBA Finals. The battle is far from over, but the Pacers have seized control with an assertive performance that now puts the Knicks on the back foot.
