In a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks found themselves down by 10 points with just under three minutes left against the Indiana Pacers. Led by a resilient Jalen Brunson, the Knicks staged a comeback, coming within one point of tying the game in the final moments. However, their defensive lapses proved costly as they fell short, losing 114-109 and now trail 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. Despite their offensive firepower, the Knicks acknowledged the need to tighten up on defense to have a chance in Game 3.
Pascal Siakam’s dominant 39-point performance and the Pacers’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc exposed the Knicks' defensive vulnerabilities. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled to contain the Pacers defensively, and the Knicks' starting five faced difficulties for the second consecutive game. With Game 3 looming in Indiana, coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks must regroup and address their defensive shortcomings to avoid falling into a deeper series deficit. As the stakes rise in the conference finals, the Knicks understand the urgency of bringing their best effort and focus to the court in pursuit of a comeback victory.