2025 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #3 New York Knicks vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 1-0)

[cgf]

That was the best game of the entire playoffs so far. I still don't see the Knicks losing this series. They legit had this game won.

That’s what the pacers do. I told my little poop monster and her mom even when we were up by double digits, that no lead in this series will be safe for either team unless it’s 30+

[cgf]

Didn't see the game but just read about the ending. What is up with these ****? A 8 point deficit with 34 seconds and they win. With a guy making 6 3s in the final 5 minutes? With another haliburton buzzer beater where he apparently just shoots 100% on buzzer beaters now?

After an insane comeback against Milwaukee. After an insane comeback against Cleveland in game 2. Literally 3 of the least likely, 3 possession game with less than a minute type comebacks in 11 playoff games. You could go your whole life without seeing your team get one of those in a playoff game. These guys have 3 in 11 games!

And what's wild is that the Knicks have been the comeback kid in our other series.

Something that the Pacers did really well was press Brunson in the closing minutes of the game. He's usually pretty solid at keeping his composure but was stressed enough that he made some costly turnovers and other unforced errors such as the errant pass to OG. Very unusual for him but the pressure applied was very aggressive and we didn't really have an answer for that swarm around him.

First off, we waited too long to call TO. But generally, it's on Thibs to figure out a counter because that approach worked. We couldn't take our time and played into their game and run. If Indy doesn't rush our possessions they don't have the ball enough to finish that comeback in spite of the heater they were on.

Tired minds are dumb ones. Playing that pace wore him out even with the rest he got. We need to slow things down and ease his workload so we can stay sharp and be the team that outexecutes late.

Also think the foul trouble threw him off.

[Stannis]

There's no way to disguise it or sugarcoat it. That was the worst way the Knicks could open the series.

There's no "blessing in disguise" or silver lining.

Sure, the fans got "humbled" and will now take the Pacers more seriously. But they aren't the ones playing the game.

The ladder to climb is now even higher, and I really don't think the Knicks players have what it takes. They are already running on fumes and a 7-game series is probably not what they want right now. Especially when the game should have been over with 5 minutes left; but instead, they allowed 27 points.

There's no blessing in disguise but it's not by any means lost. Win the next one and split Indy. That's what we need to do. Everyone will be tired. But Indy opened up a lot of paths to victory with that win and the way they got it.

I dunno... maybe they got it in them to continue. But just watching the guys slip and fall in the 4th and OT, forgetting the basics... it's not a good sign.

Now they are going into G2 as a must-win game, so the stakes are even higher.

Pacers also got 9 guys they can count on, while the Knicks basically have 7. So it's harder for the Knicks to feed off each other.

[sfernald]

Honestly that was probably the greatest basketball game I’ve ever witnessed. Congrats to all involved! There’s no losers in an epic battle of that magnitude!

[Charlie Sollers]

Honestly that was probably the greatest basketball game I’ve ever witnessed. Congrats to all involved! There’s no losers in an epic battle of that magnitude!

I'm waiting to see what the ratings were before I decide how I feel about this game.

[Capn'O]

There's no way to disguise it or sugarcoat it. That was the worst way the Knicks could open the series.

There's no "blessing in disguise" or silver lining.

Sure, the fans got "humbled" and will now take the Pacers more seriously. But they aren't the ones playing the game.

The ladder to climb is now even higher, and I really don't think the Knicks players have what it takes. They are already running on fumes and a 7-game series is probably not what they want right now. Especially when the game should have been over with 5 minutes left; but instead, they allowed 27 points.

There's no blessing in disguise but it's not by any means lost. Win the next one and split Indy. That's what we need to do. Everyone will be tired. But Indy opened up a lot of paths to victory with that win and the way they got it.

I dunno... maybe they got it in them to continue. But just watching the guys slip and fall in the 4th and OT, forgetting the basics... it's not a good sign.

Now they are going into G2 as a must-win game, so the stakes are even higher.

Pacers also got 9 guys they can count on, while the Knicks basically have 7. So it's harder for the Knicks to feed off each other.

We need to play Wright

[cgf]

There's no way to disguise it or sugarcoat it. That was the worst way the Knicks could open the series.

There's no "blessing in disguise" or silver lining.

Sure, the fans got "humbled" and will now take the Pacers more seriously. But they aren't the ones playing the game.

The ladder to climb is now even higher, and I really don't think the Knicks players have what it takes. They are already running on fumes and a 7-game series is probably not what they want right now. Especially when the game should have been over with 5 minutes left; but instead, they allowed 27 points.

There's no blessing in disguise but it's not by any means lost. Win the next one and split Indy. That's what we need to do. Everyone will be tired. But Indy opened up a lot of paths to victory with that win and the way they got it.

I dunno... maybe they got it in them to continue. But just watching the guys slip and fall in the 4th and OT, forgetting the basics... it's not a good sign.

Now they are going into G2 as a must-win game, so the stakes are even higher.

Pacers also got 9 guys they can count on, while the Knicks basically have 7. So it's harder for the Knicks to feed off each other.

That’s what exhaustion does to you. If we try to keep pace with them with just 8 guys, that’ll happen again. We need to slow the game down and/or expand the rotation enough for the closers to stay fresh. But that’s doable.

This series was always going to be a serious test and swing based on who controlled the pace, and it’s playing out exactly as expected.

PS pacers have 11 guys, not just 9. Jarace Walker is a really interesting young forward who can do a bit of everything when on his game. And Ben Sheppard is a nice young 3&D guard in the Grimes mold.

[cgf]

There's no blessing in disguise but it's not by any means lost. Win the next one and split Indy. That's what we need to do. Everyone will be tired. But Indy opened up a lot of paths to victory with that win and the way they got it.

I dunno... maybe they got it in them to continue. But just watching the guys slip and fall in the 4th and OT, forgetting the basics... it's not a good sign.

Now they are going into G2 as a must-win game, so the stakes are even higher.

Pacers also got 9 guys they can count on, while the Knicks basically have 7. So it's harder for the Knicks to feed off each other.

We need to play Wright

Wright…and the double bigs more. We need to slow this thing down by just dominating the glass / paint, and use more of the bench to keep us fresh enough to match their energy.

McConnell & Bryant aren’t meaningfully better than Payne / Wright / Shamet & Achiuwa, just need to make sure our fringe guys are out there against their bench guys.

[Pacers_Freak]

He's a frontrunner. Talks mad **** when things are going well, quiet as a church mouse when things are going poorly.

No denying his clutchness, though. Each game winner/tyer more ridiculous than the last.

I hate him as a Bucks fan. Ironic since he's from Oshkosh and was almost a Badger. But respect the magic.

A lot of people talk **** when they are losing??

100%.

Y'all need to come up with a different term for him. If you don't want to like him that's cool. If you don't like his game or his attitude that is cool. Come up with a different way to express it, the front runner thing was said by Portis (I believe) last year and y'all have just run with it. A frontrunner is someone that is doing well when things are going good but disappears when things aren't going well. I think he has proved in this year's playoffs that is far from the truth.

Anyone that has played ball or any kind of sports knows you don't talk that BS when you are getting whooped. If you make a nice play or something sure you might say something after that. But the point is to win the game. If you are getting whooped why would you be talking? If you are talking that s when you are losing.... you are a loser. If in Wisconsin that is labeled as a frontrunner..... well ever dude I ever played with is a frontrunner and that is what everyone should be.

[JShuttlesworth]

Pacers have a scrappy roster, those guys keep playing and don't give up

Nice win for Indy

[Woodsanity]

Hopefully the Knicks can come back mentally from this and bounce back game 2. Just win game 2, steal one in Indy. Knicks in 6....

[cgf]

Pacers have a scrappy roster, those guys keep playing and don't give up

Nice win for Indy

Yeah. There’s a reason I spent all season saying the east had a really strong top 4, not just top 2.

And if they don’t want to use Walker more, I’m sure Thibs would love having him on our bench

[Mavrelous]

Read on Twitter

[cgf]

Hopefully the Knicks can come back mentally from this and bounce back game 2. Just win game 2, steal one in Indy. Knicks in 6....

I really hope we can take the next three so we have multiple cracks at putting those pacers away. With the way this team does on the road, we can definitely pull it off, but we either need to blow them out by 30 or find a way to pace ourselves better for the final stretch.

[Phish Tank]

OG can go **** himself. He should be doing community service today for his **** ups.

Josh Hart needs to take Ritalin before every single game. He also **** up.

Free throws aren't hard to make.

Next time Haliburton tries to stunt in MSG, PJ Tucker should show him a fist.

[cgf]

Read on Twitter

This Knicks run has been all about correcting prior wrongs. Hali doing the Reggie before going on to lose this series would be the perfect next step

[cgf]

OG can go **** himself. He should be doing community service today for his **** ups.

Josh Hart needs to take Ritalin before every single game. He also **** up.

Free throws aren't hard to make.

Next time Haliburton tries to stunt in MSG, PJ Tucker should show him a fist.

Tired players do tired player things

[NYPiston]

Yeah but that was not intentional

Fair enough but technically they did accomplish the goal of fouling him lol

[Phish Tank]

OG can go **** himself. He should be doing community service today for his **** ups.

Josh Hart needs to take Ritalin before every single game. He also **** up.

Free throws aren't hard to make.

Next time Haliburton tries to stunt in MSG, PJ Tucker should show him a fist.

Tired players do tired player things

fire Thibs.

[cgf]

OG can go **** himself. He should be doing community service today for his **** ups.

Josh Hart needs to take Ritalin before every single game. He also **** up.

Free throws aren't hard to make.

Next time Haliburton tries to stunt in MSG, PJ Tucker should show him a fist.

Tired players do tired player things

fire Thibs.

Bahahaha, first time watching the pacers since we played them in the regular season?