Madison Square Garden, New York
In one of the most electrifying playoff performances in recent NBA memory, the Indiana Pacers staged a miraculous comeback to defeat the New York Knicks 138–135 in overtime during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The win not only stunned the Madison Square Garden crowd but also revived memories of the legendary Pacers-Knicks battles of the 1990s.
From Down and Out to OT Glory
The Pacers were trailing by 17 points with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter, and most fans had already begun to chalk this one up as a Knicks victory. But what unfolded next was nothing short of historic. Indiana closed regulation on a blistering 23–9 run, capped by a dramatic buzzer-beating jumper from All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton to tie the game at 125–125.
Although Haliburton’s shot was initially celebrated as a game-winning three-pointer—prompting him to flash Reggie Miller’s iconic “choke” gesture at the MSG crowd—replay confirmed that his toe was on the line, sending the game into overtime.
Nesmith Ignites the Comeback
Aaron Nesmith was the catalyst for Indiana’s late-game surge. The Pacers’ forward poured in 20 of his 30 points in the final five minutes of regulation, including a jaw-dropping six three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone. His performance tied an NBA playoff record for most threes in a single quarter and completely shifted the momentum in Indiana’s favor.
Nesmith’s fearlessness and shot-making turned a seemingly insurmountable deficit into a winnable game, exemplifying the kind of clutch gene every playoff team dreams about.
Haliburton Leads the Way
Haliburton, who finished with 31 points and 11 assists, was the steady hand throughout. Beyond the buzzer-beater, his control of the tempo, timely passes, and on-ball creativity kept Indiana alive in key stretches. His leadership on the court earned praise from head coach Rick Carlisle, who described him as “the engine behind everything we did tonight.”
Haliburton’s calm demeanor under pressure was a stark contrast to the increasingly rattled Knicks backcourt, who struggled to contain his penetration in crunch time.
Nembhard and Toppin Seal It in OT
With the score tied in overtime, Andrew Nembhard sank a crucial mid-range jumper with under a minute remaining, giving Indiana the edge. Obi Toppin followed it up with a thunderous fast-break dunk to extend the lead to three.
On the defensive end, Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam combined for critical stops as the Knicks attempted to answer. Jalen Brunson’s last-second three-point attempt clanked off the back iron, sealing Indiana’s improbable win.
Knicks Collapse Despite Strong Performances
The Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 43 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 35 points and 12 rebounds. However, their efforts were undermined by missed free throws and defensive lapses in the final moments of regulation.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed disappointment in the post-game press conference, saying, “We had the game in our hands, and we gave it away. Simple as that.”
What’s Next?
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will attempt to regroup and avoid falling into an 0-2 hole before heading to Indiana.
This Game 1 victory not only gives the Pacers a 1-0 series lead but also injects them with the kind of confidence that could tilt the entire series. For Indiana fans, it was a performance reminiscent of the Reggie Miller days—full of grit, swagger, and dramatic flair.
