In a thrilling game two at Madison Square Garden, Pascal Siakam’s 39 points propel the Pacers past the Knicks.
Pascal Siakam scored an incredible 39 points, his postseason career high, in Friday night’s thrilling matchup at Madison Square Garden to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the New York Knicks 114-109 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Knicks franchise had never lost the first two home games of a playoff series, so this game was a historic low point for them. The consecutive defeats were a severe blow to a squad that depends heavily on its home-court advantage.
Indiana’s success was largely attributed to Siakam’s explosive scoring. Tyrese Haliburton, who scored 14 points, and Myles Turner, who scored 16, provided strong assistance for his offensive abilities. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard each contributed 12 points, and T.J. McConnell scored an additional 10 points off the bench. The Pacers lineup’s depth and adaptability were demonstrated by the well-rounded performance.
The game was knotted at 83-83 early in the fourth quarter, and it was the crucial moment. Siakam’s three-pointer was the catalyst for the Pacers’ 11-2 scoring offensive surge. Indiana held strong even though the Knicks rallied three times to cut the margin to just three points. After being largely silent for the majority of the game, Turner and Haliburton came alive in the closing minutes with vital three-pointers that kept the Pacers ahead.
Knicks player Josh Hart trimmed Indiana’s lead to 110-109 with a basket with 14.1 seconds remaining in regulation. The home audience cheered with hope during the anxious moment. However, during the inbounds play, Aaron Nesmith was the victim of a costly foul by Jalen Brunson nearly instantly. The margin was reduced to three points when Nesmith, a dependable 91.3% free-throw shooter, confidently sank both shots. On the next possession, Brunson missed a long three-pointer, and after being fouled, Turner made two more free throws to seal the victory.
In his postgame interview with TNT, Siakam stated, “We don’t care who scores.” “Winning is all we desire. For us, that is the most crucial factor.
Jalen Brunson had a strong performance for New York despite the defeat, tallying 36 points and dishing out 11 assists. Brunson missed his last two three-point shots when it counted most, which was unfortunate for the Knicks. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns both contributed 20 points, but Towns was benched for the majority of the fourth quarter despite finishing the game with a game-low plus-minus of -20.
“We fell into a hole, and the group we had out there gave us a chance to climb out,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said to reporters when questioned about benching Towns during the crucial last stretch. Siakam didn’t waste any time setting the tone, scoring Indiana’s first 11 points in the first minute and then adding the team’s next eight points with Nesmith and Nembhard, helping the Pacers take an early 19-9 lead halfway through the first quarter.
However, the Knicks swiftly rallied for their own 10-0 run, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride. With five more points of his own, Siakam steadied Indiana once more just when it appeared that the momentum had changed. The Knicks had a slim 26–24 lead at the end of the first quarter after OG Anunoby’s forceful dunk and Mitchell Robinson’s tip-in.
The Knicks were ahead 52-49 at the break. Tyrese Haliburton only made one of seven shots and scored two points in the first two quarters, but he did send out five assists. Even against New York’s larger lineup, which included Towns and Robinson, Siakam was dominant throughout the half with 23 points, while Brunson led the Knicks with 17.
However, the Knicks had a 21-14 advantage on the boards at the half because to size. Indiana’s favored fast-paced game, which flourishes in transition, was slowed down by that.
In his postgame interview with TNT, Haliburton stated, “It gives you a lot of confidence when you play such a rough first half and you’re still down three.”
However, in the second half, the Knicks were unable to maintain their intensity. With their two highest-scoring quarters of the game, Indiana accelerated the pace and placed New York behind. The Knicks were forced to pursue rather than control the game as the Pacers’ offense grew more creative and unpredictable.
The Pacers will now have home-court advantage and a boisterous crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the series moves to Indiana.
However, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle warned against expecting things to be simple in the future. After the game, Carlisle told reporters, “You can’t assume that going home will make things easy.” “We still need to play with the same focus and intensity.”
The Pacers’ ability to maintain their momentum at home or the Knicks’ ability to recover with the urgency their season now sorely needs will be the focus of Sunday night’s 8:00 p.m. ET Eastern Conference Finals Game 3.
Siakam Takes Center Stage in the Playoffs
Pascal Siakam gave an absolutely amazing performance. The two-time All-Star displayed poise, confidence, and an unwavering will to win while playing. He scored 39 points using a combination of timely three-pointers, long-range shots, and strong drives. His timing and effectiveness were more impressive than the sheer number of goals he scored. Siakam demonstrated leadership beyond simply putting up numbers by taking charge when the game was most crucial.
Coach Rick Carlisle described his performance as “like a true star tonight.” “He produced successful plays on both ends of the court.”
The Knicks had ongoing matchup issues because of Siakam’s ability to score off cuts, in isolation, and in transition. Siakam managed to get his shot off regardless of whether he was defended by larger forwards or smaller wings. His teammates were able to play more freely around him because of his maturity and patience.
The Bench Depth in Indiana Is Crucial
Siakam certainly took center stage, but the Pacers’ supporting group also deserves a lot of recognition for their contributions to the game. When the starters needed a break or a chance to recover, the bench provided vitality, hustle, and a scoring punch.
T.J. McConnell was very successful at making easy baskets with his quickness and court sense. In order to defend New York’s wings and make timely shots, Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard were essential. The Pacers’ bench improved the game, not just kept it at the same level.
Indiana’s ability to depend on a number of players might be a key benefit in a postseason series where rotations get more competitive. In contrast, the Knicks have relied largely on their starters, and it looks like they are beginning to feel the weariness.
Brunson’s Talent Is Insufficient
Jalen Brunson exerted every effort to help the Knicks win. His remarkable ability to make plays and shoot under duress was demonstrated by his 36 points and 11 assists. He nailed hard step-back jumpers, finished through contact, and drove into the paint at times, giving the impression that he was unstoppable.
Brunson couldn’t do it by himself, though. In the waning seconds, the Knicks’ fate was decided when he missed his final two three-point attempts. In the final seconds, he also committed a critical foul on Nesmith, allowing Indiana to win via the free-throw line.
Brunson is still the Knicks’ best chance to advance in the series despite the defeat. Even when other stars have waned, his leadership and ability to take over games have kept New York competitive.
The Absence of Towns Raises Concerns
Coach Thibodeau made the unexpected decision to bench Karl-Anthony Towns for the majority of the fourth quarter despite the fact that he scored 20 points. Towns was a liability in transition and had defensive issues, which Indiana took advantage of.
Despite his offensive contributions, his lack of effect on the glass and defense made it impossible to ignore his minus-20 rating, which was the lowest on the floor. Although benching him wasn’t an easy choice, it was a reflection of the Knicks’ bigger issue: how to control size and mobility when facing Indiana’s speedy, versatile team.
“We needed a spark, and the group we had gave us a fighting chance,” Thibodeau said after the game to defend his choice.
The Knicks Are at a Crucial Point
The Knicks are under pressure now that the series is moving to Indiana. Losing 0–2 at home is a huge blow, and Game 3 could decide the course of the entire series. New York needs to improve their pace control and rebounding, especially from Mikal Bridges and the bench unit, as Indiana is nearly unstoppable when they run the floor. If the Knicks can limit Indiana’s fast breaks and second-chance points, they will have a better chance of taking back control of the series.
The Pacers Bring Momentum Home
The mission in New York is completed for Indiana. They now bring a 2-0 series lead and a newfound sense of confidence to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The players are aware that this is their chance to take complete control of the series, and the supporters will be energized.
An experienced postseason veteran, coach Rick Carlisle, was quick to warn against arrogance. “The Knicks are a fantastic group. This is by no means the end of the series. After the victory, he stated, “We must remain focused and play even harder at home.”
Going ahead, Indiana’s strategy will probably center on maintaining a well-rounded offensive approach and strengthening their defensive rotations. They are aware that the Knicks will fight hard in Game 3 and that they will need to play as a cohesive team once more to prevail.
Game 3: New York Must Win
The series’ third game, which is set for Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET, may prove to be the pivotal match. No NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, which Indiana will have if they win again.
It’s all hands on deck for the Knicks. Anticipate tighter defense, greater playing time for their main players, and a sense of desperation that occasionally spurs a comeback. The Pacers’ objective is straightforward: capitalize on the momentum, maintain their aggressiveness, and win over the home crowd.
In either case, basketball fans can expect to witness another exciting game in what is sure to be a memorable Eastern Conference Finals.
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