Pacers Rally to Defeat Knicks in Overtime, Game 1 Thrills Fans

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks with a miraculous comeback to win Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers rallied to secure a 130-128 overtime victory at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025.

Aaron Nesmith shone in the closing minutes, scoring six three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone. His pivotal shots included a clutch buzzer-beater that sent the game into overtime. “Each shot that he made just kept giving us more confidence that we could really win this game,” said Tyrese Haliburton.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with a playoff-high 43 points, demonstrating his scoring prowess throughout the game. With his knack for finding angles and connecting on difficult shots, he kept New York in the lead for most of the contest before too many late-game fouls limited his minutes. “You have to have a toolbox full of tools to defend him, and not all the tools are going to work,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.

The Knicks held a 13-point lead with just five minutes left in the fourth quarter. But the Pacers’ comeback was fueled by both Nesmith’s shooting and their ability to maintain defensive pressure on Brunson, who was targeted throughout the game. Despite various defenders, Brunson still managed to score with ease.

The vivid back-and-forth nature of the game kept fans on the edge of their seats. With every three-pointer and key play, the tensions rose until Nesmith’s late-game heroics concluded a wild fourth quarter that was a highlight of the playoffs.

Overall, the Pacers have now improved their record to 7-0 in clutch playoff games, which is a testament to their perseverance and teamwork. Coach Carlisle acknowledged the areas his team must improve on, especially concerning rebounding, but was encouraged by their ability to fight back late in the game.

As the series progresses, the focus for both teams will likely revolve around their strategies to counter each other’s star players, with the Pacers showing their tenacity in this tightly contested matchup.