Pacers Stun Knicks with Overtime Comeback in Game 1

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning 138-135 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night. Down by 14 points with less than three minutes remaining, the Pacers rallied to tie the game with a buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton, sending the game into overtime.

Haliburton’s shot with his toe on the 3-point line capped a remarkable comeback, as Indiana overcame New York in extra time. The victory gave the Pacers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“We’ve had to win so many random, unique ways,” Haliburton said with a smile after the game. He finished with 33 points and played a crucial role in the comeback, while teammate Aaron Nesmith added 30 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter. Nesmith shot 6-for-7 from beyond the arc during that period.

The Knicks dominated large portions of the game and led for most of regulation. They held a significant advantage in rebounding and appeared to be in control until Indiana’s late surge. Prior to this game, teams were 977-0 in the playoffs when leading by at least 14 points with 2:50 or less on the clock, making this defeat particularly painful for New York.

“This is probably the worst loss in recent Knicks history,” a sports analyst commented. “With a chance to set the tone, they ended up with a broken spirit.”

Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the difficulty of the loss, saying, “They can score the ball. Never let your guard down against them. No lead is safe.” The Knicks defense faltered down the stretch, allowing the Pacers to capitalize on crucial opportunities.

Game 2 of the series is set for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are preparing for a high-stakes rematch, with Indiana looking to seize a 2-0 lead and New York hoping to bounce back in front of their home crowd.