After Haliburton’s shot sent the game to OT, the Pacers took their first lead since the second quarter.
Haliburton led the Pacers with 33 points and Aaron Nesmith added 30.
The Pacers and Knicks play Game 2 in New York on Friday.
— Fred Katz, senior NBA writer Nesmith keeps Pacers alive Nesmith will live on in New York sports history as one of its great villains.
Instead, it leaves Game 1 with a broken spirit and the Pacers having all the confidence in the world.
It was Tyrese Haliburton once more.
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138–135 in overtime after Haliburton scored two points with a toe on the 3-point line in the last second of regulation to force Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals into overtime.
The Knicks were ahead by double digits in the fourth quarter and held the lead for the majority of regulation. However, in the last minute of regulation, the Pacers managed to stay close enough to launch a successful charge. The Pacers took their first lead since the second quarter when Haliburton’s shot forced overtime. With 33 points, Haliburton led the Pacers, followed by Aaron Nesmith with 30.
These playoffs, Haliburton has a tendency to make spectacular shots. In the opening round, he first scored the game-winning goal against the Milwaukee Bucks. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, it was a thrilling matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. And this now.
Game 2 of the Pacers and Knicks is scheduled for Friday in New York.
New York silenced by Indiana.
There is no sound in Madison sq\. Garden except for the jumbotron’s blaring music. Not a single sound is coming from the fans. The atmosphere has soured just days after 20,000 people departed this building as though they had all won the lottery at once.
Throughout the postseason, the Pacers have made comeback after comeback. They have done it against Cleveland and Milwaukee. However, none of them were like this. However, with 2:51 remaining in regulation, their opponent leads by 14 points. Not when Nesmith scored 17 points in the last three and a half minutes, including five 3-pointers. Not when every possession on both sides of the floor is being destroyed by their opponents’ offensive execution. Unlike Haliburton, who appeared to miss a shot but actually made it, the basketball gods tapped it back in after it soared off the back rim and into the air.
The return was a roar. And now there is silence in the building. — senior NBA writer Fred Katz.
Pacers are kept alive by Nesmith.
As one of the greatest villains in New York sports history, Nesmith will live on. a man who appeared out of nowhere and caused one of the most devastating defeats in the history of New York sports. Nesmith scored 18 points on six 3-pointers and two free throws with 4:45 remaining in Madison sq\. Garden, which helped the Pacers rally from a 113-98 deficit.
Although he finished with a total of 30 points, Knicks supporters will hate those 18 points forever. Nesmith put Indiana there, but Haliburton’s game-tying, toe-touching fadeaway two that came within inches of a three and his Reggie tribute will be remembered as the highlights. Reporter Mike Vorkunov, national.
The implications for New York.
In Game 1, the Knicks received a dose of their own medicine after spending the postseason rallying from significant deficits to win games.
Following a dominant fourth quarter, it appeared as though New York would easily win thanks to strong defense and outstanding rebounding. But like Boston did against the Knicks, New York played a little cockily in the closing minutes, making poor shots and rushing the offense when it wasn’t needed. With a Haliburton prayer in regulation, the Pacers forced overtime after getting hot from three and managing to string together enough stops.
A series could swing as a result of this kind of loss. New York had the opportunity to win handily and set the tone. Rather, it departs Game 1 with a broken heart and the Pacers feeling completely confident. Probably the worst Knicks loss in recent memory is this one. On Wednesday night, a team that has consistently demonstrated its resilience was the complete opposite of that. A poor performance in Game 2 could cost New York the season.
Since both starters dominated for the majority of the game, the Knicks are fortunate that it doesn’t seem like Indiana has an answer for Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson. We won’t know if the Pacers feel comfortable enough to use that kind of coverage for the majority of a game until Friday, but they did trap Brunson late, which caused some problems. — Knicks beat writer James Edwards III.
where Indiana can do better.
The Pacers bench was considered a strength prior to the series, not only against the Knicks but also against every other team they had faced in the postseason. Although their second unit is usually a strength, collectively, the bench led the team in one steal and more personal fouls (seven) than assists (three). However, the unit finished with 31 points, outscoring the Knicks bench. Up until the end of the game, the Indiana bench put up a very forgettable defensive performance. They will need to support the starters on Friday as the Knicks try to recover despite the victory.
Indiana has focused on rebounding since the playoffs started because it has been beaten on the glass. The Pacers pulled down a total of 19 rebounds in the opening half. They were about equal to the Knicks, with three players on the offensive end. Indiana finished with 39 points and 23 second-chance points, adding 20 rebounds in the second half. They appear to have finally (possibly?) figured out the glass. — Staff writer Shakeia Taylor.
(Image: Imagn Images/Brad Penner).
