Pacers’ Youthful Energy Prevails
The NBA Eastern Conference playoffs witness a gripping showdown as the youthful Indiana Pacers, led by rising star Tyrese Haliburton, face off against the depleted New York Knicks. Despite the absence of key frontline player OG Anunoby and the cold shooting of their core trio—Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo—the Knicks succumb to a devastating 121-89 defeat, allowing the Pacers to level the series at 2-2.
Pacers’ Explosive Start
From the opening whistle, the Pacers launch a relentless offensive onslaught. With Haliburton orchestrating the offense and the team’s perimeter shooting ablaze, they force the Knicks to extend their defense and repeatedly attack the paint. This offensive barrage, coupled with stifling defense, sees the Pacers surging to a commanding 24-point lead, dominating both ends of the court in the first quarter.
Knicks Struggle to Respond
Despite sporadic offensive contributions, the Knicks find themselves unable to contain the Pacers’ relentless attack, trailing by a humiliating 28 points at halftime. In the second quarter, their shooting woes persist, leaving them in a dire situation as they head into the locker room.
Knicks’ Second Half Woes
The Knicks continue to struggle in the second half, enduring prolonged scoring droughts and committing careless turnovers. Even though they manage to halt the bleeding momentarily with a basket from Brunson, they are unable to stem the tide of the Pacers’ multifaceted offense. With their main lineup benched early in the third quarter and absent for the entire fourth, the Knicks are reduced to garbage time, conceding a resounding 32-point defeat.
Balanced Pacers Offense
On the stat sheet, six Pacers players score in double figures. Haliburton leads the charge with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in 27 minutes of play. Pascal Siakam contributes 14 points, Myles Turner adds 13 points and 5 rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith chips in with 8 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, T.J. McConnell impresses with a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists, supported by Obi Toppin and Isaiah Jackson combining for 24 points.
Knicks’ Core Trio Falters
In contrast, the Knicks’ core trio, dubbed the “Big Three,” fails to deliver. Despite Brunson’s 18 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, his shooting efficiency plummets with only 6 made shots out of 17 attempts, including going 0-5 from beyond the arc. DiVincenzo manages only 7 points, while Hart adds a mere 2 points to the scoreboard. Alec Burks shines off the bench with a team-high 20 points and 5 rebounds, with Miles McBride contributing 16 points and 5 rebounds. (Jilikoa)
