- The Result: Indiana defeated New York 116-103 to tie the Eastern Conference Semifinals at 3-3.
- Stat of the Night: The Pacers’ bench outscored the Knicks’ reserves 36-12, proving the difference in depth.
- What’s Next: A decisive Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday to determine who advances to the Conference Finals.
INDIANAPOLIS — Pascal Siakam bullied his way to 25 points and the Indiana Pacers played with their season on the line, dismantling the New York Knicks 116-103 on Friday night. The victory protects Indiana’s perfect home record in these playoffs and sets up a high-stakes Game 7 in New York.
Indiana’s Depth Overwhelms Short-Handed Knicks
While the stars usually grab the headlines, Indiana’s bench won this game. T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin injected energy the moment they stepped on the floor, combining for 26 points. The Knicks, still reeling from injuries to OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, looked gassed by the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson struggled early, missing 11 of his first 12 shots. Although he finished with 31 points, much of that came after the Pacers had already built a double-digit cushion. Indiana’s defense trapped Brunson relentlessly, forcing the rest of the Knicks to beat them—a challenge New York couldn’t meet.
Box Score Highlights
- Pascal Siakam (IND): 25 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST
- Tyrese Haliburton (IND): 15 PTS, 9 AST, 6 REB
- Jalen Brunson (NYK): 31 PTS, 5 AST (11-26 FG)
- Miles McBride (NYK): 20 PTS
What They Said
“We knew we had to bring the fight to them. At this point in the year, it’s about who wants it more, and our guys responded to the bell.”
— Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach
“We didn’t play well enough to win. We’ll go back home, watch the tape, and be ready for Sunday. It’s Game 7. That’s what you live for.”
— Jalen Brunson, Knicks Guard
The Road to the Garden
The momentum now shifts back to Manhattan. The Pacers have struggled on the road in this series, but they carry the confidence of a blowout win into the most famous arena in the world. For the Knicks, the question remains whether their rotation—shrunk by necessity—has enough left in the tank for one final 48-minute push.
The winner earns a date with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Expect a physical, grind-it-out affair at the Garden where every loose ball could decide a season.
