The Knicks had been the kings of comebacks this postseason.
However in Wednesday night time’s Sport 1 of the Japanese Convention Finals, they obtained an all-time-bitter style of their very own medication.
The Knicks led by 17 factors with 6:26 remaining within the fourth quarter and by 9 factors with underneath a minute left, solely to lose, 138-135, in time beyond regulation at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Tyrese Haliburton’s lengthy stepback 2-pointer tied the sport, 125-125, and compelled OT.
For a second, it appeared Haliburton had drilled a game-winner. Haliburton’s shot clanked off of the again of the rim and into the air, solely to undergo the online.
The Pacers celebrated as in the event that they’d received, and Haliburton unleashed the choke taunt made well-known by Reggie Miller – who was within the constructing as a TNT broadcaster – after a equally inconceivable comeback on the Backyard again in 1994.
However a assessment confirmed Haliburton’s toe was on the road.
Jalen Brunson’s driving floater with 35.2 seconds left in time beyond regulation gave the Knicks a 135-134 lead, however Andrew Nembhard’s lay-up with 26.1 seconds left served because the game-winner for Indiana.
That capped a devastating defeat for the Knicks during which the Pacers completed the fourth quarter on a 20-6 run within the remaining 2:39, throughout which Nesmith made 4 3-pointers, together with three within the remaining minute.
Karl-Anthony Cities and OG Anunony missed a free throw apiece within the waning seconds of regulation.
The Knicks had gone up, 108-92, with 7:24 left within the fourth quarter on the energy of a 14-0 run, all of which Brunson spent on the bench after drawing his fifth foul.
Brunson, who picked up that fifth foul on the 10:05 mark, checked again in with 5:00 to go and the Knicks up, 111-98. The Knicks led, 119-105, after Brunson made a 3-pointer with 2:51 left, however then the Pacers went on their run.
Haliburton completed with 31 factors and 11 assists, whereas Nesmith scored 30 factors, together with 20 within the fourth quarter.
Brunson led all scorers with 41 factors, whereas Cities had 35.
All of that occurred after the Pacers began the primary quarter 9-of-9 from the sector.
This sequence marks the third-seeded Knicks’ first journey to the Japanese Convention Finals since 1999 and their ninth time dealing with the Pacers within the postseason.
Indiana received 5 of the earlier eight conferences – together with the final three – however the Knicks are 2-1 all-time towards the Pacers within the convention finals. The Pacers eradicated the Knicks in seven video games within the second spherical final yr.
The Knicks look to bounce again on Friday night time in Sport 2 on the Backyard.
Initially Printed: Might 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM EDT
