The New York Knicks suffered a tough loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, falling 114-109. Despite a valiant effort from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks were unable to secure a crucial win to tie the series. As they head to Indiana for Games 3 and 4, the Knicks find themselves down 0-2 and facing an uphill battle.
Coach Tom Thibodeau’s team is not ready to throw in the towel just yet, but the odds are not in their favor. A demoralizing stat from Underdog NBA, a basketball site on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted the challenge ahead for the Knicks.
The Knicks can only blame themselves for their current predicament. In Game 1, they squandered a 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 138-135 in overtime. It was a historic collapse, as teams were previously 994-0 when leading by such a margin with so little time left on the clock.
While the Knicks’ defense showed up early in Game 2, their offense struggled in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter. Despite a late rally led by Jalen Brunson, the Pacers managed to hold on for the win. Brunson had a chance to tie the game with a long-range shot in the closing seconds, but it fell short.
The Knicks’ recent playoff history against the Pacers at Madison Square Garden is not favorable. They have now lost three consecutive playoff games to the Pacers at home, including the pivotal Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2024. In both Games 1 and 2 of the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers delivered heartbreaking defeats to the Knicks in front of their home crowd.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will need a strong performance in Indiana to have any chance of turning the series around. If they can steal a win on the road, they will have the opportunity to bring the series back to Madison Square Garden, where they hope to finally break their playoff slump against the Pacers.
Despite the challenges they face, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby will need to step up and lead the Knicks in their quest to salvage the series. With the support of their fans and a resilient mindset, the Knicks will look to defy the odds and mount a comeback against the Pacers.
