The Indiana Pacers are on the verge of a potential NBA Finals appearance after defeating the New York Knicks 114-109, claiming a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Pascal Siakam stood out with a playoff career-high of 39 points, leading the Pacers as they look to maintain their six-game winning streak on the road. Game 3 will take place in Indiana amidst the buzz of the Indianapolis 500.
Siakam’s impressive performance included shooting 15 for 23 from the field, supported by Myles Turner with 16 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s near triple-double of 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Despite the high-scoring nature of the Pacers’ gameplay, no other player scored more than five baskets. Coach Rick Carlisle praised Siakam as crucial in navigating through tough stretches of the game.
The Knicks, meanwhile, were led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 36 points and provided 11 assists. They improved their defense following their overtime loss in Game 1 but struggled offensively, particularly during a poor start to the fourth quarter. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 20 points each, but Towns played limited minutes as coach Tom Thibodeau opted for the more defensively skilled Mitchell Robinson.
The game was tightly contested, tied at 81 heading into the fourth. However, a 13-4 run from the Pacers put them ahead for good. The Knicks managed to close the gap late in the game, but the Pacers secured their victory with clutch free throws. Historically, no team has overcome a 0-2 deficit at home to win a conference finals series, putting pressure on the Knicks as they prepare for Game 3.
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