The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138–135 in overtime after rallying from a sizable deficit in an exciting Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. While Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns gave outstanding performances for the Knicks, Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith spearheaded the Pacers’ comeback.
Game Summary
On May 21, 2025, the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138–135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers were down 14 points with less than three minutes left in regulation but pulled off an incredible comeback to take a 1-0 series lead. ([The Washington Post][1])
Notable Achievements
- Tyrese Haliburton: Finished with 11 assists and 31 points, tying the game with a pivotal jumper at the end of regulation. ([Reuters][2], [The Washington Post][1])
- Aaron Nesmith: Scored 30 points off the bench, including a career-high eight three-pointers, six of which came in the last minutes of the fourth quarter. ([The Times of India][3])
- Jalen Brunson: Tied a franchise record for the most playoff games with 30 or more points, scoring 43 points to lead all scorers. ([Toasting and Posting][4])
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Demonstrated versatility with a double-double of 35 points and 12 rebounds. ([Reuters][2])
Game Synopsis
With 2:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Knicks led 119-105. However, the Pacers responded with a 23-point surge—the most in such a period of playoff history—to force overtime. ([Yahoo Sports][6], [ESPN.com][5])
In overtime, Indiana maintained momentum with important points from Andrew Nembhard and a game-winning dunk from Obi Toppin. The Knicks struggled with missed opportunities and turnovers, leading to their defeat. ([Posting and Toasting][4], [Reddit][7])
Looking Ahead
The Pacers have a psychological advantage going into Game 2, set for this Friday at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will aim to regroup and correct the mistakes that led to their collapse in the closing minutes. ([Toasting and Posting][4])