Knicks Attempt to Recover After Devastating Game 1 Loss

NEW YORK, NY – After a crushing defeat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are looking to bounce back against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

The Knicks, who had a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, shocked their fans by losing 138-135 in overtime on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers ended the game with a dramatic tie from Tyrese Haliburton just as time expired, leaving fans in disbelief.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized resilience after the game. “You’ve got to bounce back quickly. You look at the film, make your corrections and get ready for Game 2,” he said.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with an impressive 43 points, shooting 15-of-25 from the field, but acknowledged the intense pressure of playoff basketball. “In the playoffs, when you win it’s the best thing ever and when you lose it’s the worst thing ever,” Brunson said.

Despite the setback, the Knicks found moments of strong performance. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 35 points, and during a stretch without Brunson, the Knicks outscored the Pacers 17-2.

The loss echoed a famous 1994 playoff moment, with Haliburton mimicking the “choke” sign after his tying shot, reminiscent of Reggie Miller’s iconic performance against the Knicks years ago.

Thibodeau expressed confidence in his team’s ability to recover. “There’s a lot of emotional highs and lows in the playoffs,” he said.

Indiana’s bench also rose to the occasion, with Aaron Nesmith contributing 30 points and key late-game shots. Now the two teams prepare for Game 2, with the Knicks hoping to even the series.