Knicks Stumble to 0-2 Deficit Against Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals

The New York Knicks are teetering on the edge of history—and not the good kind. In a gut-punch of a Game 2, they dropped a 114-109 decision to the Indiana Pacers, falling into a 0-2 hole in the Eastern Conference Finals. No NBA team has ever clawed back from losing the first two games at home in a conference finals series. Tough pill to swallow for the Knicks faithful.

Pascal Siakam was the thorn in New York’s side, erupting for a playoff-career-high 39 points on an efficient 15-for-23 shooting night. The Pacers’ star forward was a one-man wrecking crew, especially in the first half, keeping Indiana steady through choppy waters. Myles Turner chipped in 16 points, while Tyrese Haliburton dished out 11 assists to go with 14 points and eight rebounds. The Pacers, still chasing their first NBA Finals trip since 2000, look hungrier than ever.

For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson battled valiantly, dropping 36 points and 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a sluggish start to the fourth quarter. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 20 points, but Towns saw limited minutes as coach Tom Thibodeau leaned on backup Mitchell Robinson’s defensive grit. Robinson grabbed nine rebounds, but the Knicks couldn’t find the offensive spark to close the gap after Indiana’s 13-4 run to open the final frame.

The game was a gritty throwback to the Knicks-Pacers playoff battles of the 1990s, with defense taking center stage after Game 1’s overtime fireworks. Indiana jumped out to a 19-9 lead, but New York fought back, keeping it close until Siakam’s late 3-pointer and clutch free throws from Aaron Nesmith and Turner sealed the deal. With the series shifting to Indiana, the Knicks need a miracle to keep their first conference finals appearance in 25 years alive.