Pacers Steal Game One: Knicks Let One Slip Late at MSG
Madison Square Garden had all the makings of a classic. The Knicks came in confident, riding the high of their emotional series win over the defending champion Boston Celtics. Fans were on their feet, New York legends filled the front row, and the team looked poised to carry that energy into a statement win against Indiana. From the opening tip, it was clear that this wouldn’t be a quiet night, with both teams coming out firing. Indiana hit their first nine shots, while the Knicks matched their intensity bucket for bucket in what quickly turned into a shootout.
Mitchell Robinson was a monster early, dominating the boards and creating vital second-chance points to help the Knicks stay in the fight. Despite Indiana’s red-hot start, Robinson’s physicality was the anchor New York needed in that high-scoring first quarter, where both teams finished with more than 34 points. It was a showcase of skill, speed, and toughness from two teams refusing to blink. The Knicks’ bench answered the call, too, with Cameron Payne hitting big threes in the second quarter to keep the pace alive. The crowd fed off every possession, roaring with every hustle play and defensive stop.
New York got a strong hold of the lead in the second half, and it looked like they were on their way to a critical Game One win. Then came the late surge. With less than two minutes remaining in the fourth, Indiana chipped away. Slowly, methodically, and heartbreakingly. Aaron Nesmith buried a string of clutch threes that suddenly turned a comfortable Knicks lead into a fragile one. The Pacers’ relentless energy, led by the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin off the bench, kept them alive just long enough. The Pacers end up with the ball for the last possession of the fourth quarter. With seconds on the clock, Haliburton launched a deep, contested jumper over Robinson. The shot bounced off the back of the rim, floated in the air, and dropped into the bucket. A stunning game-tying dagger that sent this one to overtime.
In the extra frame, Indiana finished what they started. Despite strong efforts from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks couldn’t find enough stops when it mattered. The Pacers’ speed, their confidence, and their belief in the comeback carried them through. Game One ends 138-135 in favor of Indiana. An absolute gut punch for New York. The Knicks must now regroup quickly. This series just got serious, and Game Two has become a must-win. They cannot let this loss define the rest of the series. They cannot afford a repeat of history. They cannot afford a repeat of embarrassment. The Garden will need to bring that same fire again, and the Knicks must meet the moment.
