The Knicks erased a 20-point deficit in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. They couldn’t complete a comeback against the Pacers in Game 4 on Tuesday, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
“In true fashion to our whole playoff run, we put ourselves in a deficit, got ourselves out of the deficit, and then usually we feel good about us going into a close game in the fourth quarter and showing our resilience. But you get burned if you put yourself in that position too many times,” Karl-Anthony Towns said, per ESPN’s Jamal Collier. “We think coming into the fourth quarter that we’re going to find that one trick again. We just didn’t have that magic tonight.”
The Knicks’ defense faltered, as Indiana shot 51.1% from the floor and committed just 11 turnovers, six fewer than New York. Pacers stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam combined for 62 points.
“They played with more intensity,” center Mitchell Robinson told Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “We should’ve matched it.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- The lineup change that coach Tom Thibodeau made in Game 3 — Robinson replacing Josh Hart — flopped in Game 4, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post notes. The Knicks trailed 16-11 before Towns subbed out with 7:48 left in the first quarter after picking up his second foul. When the unit was back together to start the third quarter, the club gave up seven unanswered points to fall behind by 12. “There’s obviously some good, but also things we have to do a lot better,” Thibodeau said. “I don’t think we had a good grouping. … We start the third without great energy, and you can’t do that.”
- Towns was able to stay in the game after colliding with Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith with 2:11 remaining. However, the left knee pain he suffered is some cause for concern heading into Game 5 on Thursday. “I’m only thinking about this loss, I’m not thinking about that right now,” Towns said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. “It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win. Just didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”
- Jalen Brunson scored 31 points but a vast majority came prior to the fourth quarter. The Knicks were outscored by 14 points when he was in the game, Braziller notes. “I’m not doing enough,” Brunson said. “I could sit here and be very detail-oriented about certain things, but obviously not good enough. There has to be a difference on my part when it comes to that.”
- Mikal Bridges‘ shortcomings were apparent in Game 4. He couldn’t stop Haliburton as the Pacers guard posted a triple-double without a turnover. The veteran forward was also passive on the offensive end, repeatedly passing up driving opportunities. “I didn’t play my best game,” Bridges told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “On both ends, let my team down a little bit.”
- Hart also had a rough night as he committed five turnovers, Schwartz points out. “It’s tough to win against a team like that who turns those turnovers into points,” Hart said. “I had like four or five. Just stupid turnovers that you can’t have. That leads to easy baskets, that leads to momentum. We gotta be more careful with the ball, starting with myself.”
KAT just isn’t a smart player. He picks up some really dumb fouls that hurt his team. He was literally holding the pacers player arm(who wasn’t doing anything in the play) and gets mad when ref(who is looking right at him) calls the foul(KAT knowing it’s a foul). U have to play smarter. Also Knicks players look tired, and they try to take plays off on defense to keep energy level up on offense. That works in regular season vs bad teams. In the playoffs that never works. U can’t just outscore good teams while playing little to no defense. Knicks in trouble
“In the playoffs that never works. U can’t just outscore good teams while playing little to no defense.”
Perhaps, at some point, the Knicks attended the ‘School of Bron’ for defensive instruction/strategy.
LeBron James is 40 years old. ‘School of Bron’ would say prime Lebron was All-NBA Defense multiple times….
Yes I agree. Towns lack of focus and commitment shows when pushed. And that’s what happens in playoffs. Knicks don’t have a bench. Pacers exploiting that. Just win the next one.
Gave their future for Bridges. Next year will have to be the year or they are doomed. They could have the assets to get the Freak but they gave it all for a 4 the best player on a team like Bridges.
Could have? So the Knicks should have had the unbelievable foresight to know that better fitting superstars might be available in the future?
Maybe KAT and Mikal weren’t the ideal choices, but sometimes it’s just time to do something. The Knicks were finally patient with a rebuild for once, cashed in on their assets, and it got them to the ECF sooner than anyone expected.
Maybe this group can’t win a chip – but it’s been a nice ride. Pacers have had time to develop chemistry. These Knicks didn’t have an off-season together and have been winging it all year
FWIW The two teams winning their respective series made 0 splashy trades. They only traded at the edges. I think it’s fair to argue Knicks should have done the same (build a core internally).
It’s a tough needle to thread, not waiting too long to cash in your chips while also not cashing them in too early. But the bottom line is the trade doesn’t look great right now and I don’t think the front office should get a total pass on that even with the tricky circumstances.
Maybe things will look better next year with more continuity. But, for now, I think some tentative criticism is warranted.
Can definitely agree with you there. That kind of timing must be tricky. The trade turned out better than I expected at first. The playoffs have exposed the already visible roster flaws further. Some criticism is always warranted. This FO has proven to at least be competent.
I’d rather not get into hypotheticals about off-season and next season etc til it’s over ;)
KAT is the issue. Need to get rid of KAT
NYC basketball used to have this mystique and universal respect around it. There was a tangible standard there that even extended to other pro players that didn’t play or grow up in NY wanting to play well for the fans at MSG directly because of this standard and mystique.
It is 100% clear the effort of KAT, the flopping antics of Brunson, and the incessant complaining by those two and Josh Hart is far below this NYC basketball standard I observed in previous years.
Every playoff game these NYK fans further ruin that hard earned reputation by rooting on bad, whiny and low effort basketball.
Not to mention, this is their ceiling. One doesn’t look at this team and think they could go all the way. Rather, one looks at the Knicks and wonder how they made it this far in the first place.
Not bad for a team thrown together just before the start of the season! Hit their ceiling before they even have a full season, or a single offseason together? I’m sure you and all the Knick haters would like to believe that.
You started posting on Knicks articles acting like you’re Mr Innocent just here to talk ball and comment. Now you’re releasing your full inner troll, congrats?
I get that you’re sad. It’s ok buddy. Let it all out.
Not sad yet, maybe in 2 or 4 days. With any result, I’m happier about the Knicks than I’ve been in 25 years.
I get that you’re still high off last year and still bitter about Knicks fans talking ish to you when your favorite team surprisingly lost. That had to feel new. You’ll get over it too pal.
“I’m happier about the Knicks than I’ve been in 25 years.”
I know, that’s what makes the whole thing so funny.
I’m not bitter at all. I don’t expect a championship ever year. Just more than once every 50 years.
Hi.
GhostofThomasHamilton
May 28, 2025
I get that you’re sad. It’s ok buddy. Let it all out.
“Not as sad as a Celtic fan trolling”
I think you’re making their point for them. Of course you are happy as a Knicks fan subjected to hell for much of the past few decades. But for the outside folks simply assessing the recent decisions made, needless to say it’s going to look a little less rosy.
Rose and the front office deserve a lot of credit for turning around the franchise, but why should that make them immune to any amount of criticism? That kind of blind faith never ends well. And that turnaround counts for a lot but shouldn’t count for everything.
I hear you don’t fully agree unless the criticism is focused on the process. Because the hope is that this is not a finished product. We’re not basking in the glory of relevance or predicting future chips. It was a big step, and it’s been nice to watch these meaningful games again, and get closer to the goal.
But happiness and enjoyment as a fan are not (at least for me) defined as championship or bust. For the players, of course that counts for everything. Their job is to win.
All I’m saying, it’s year one for this core. And they’re still kind of figuring it out as they go, in the ECF. An off-season to tweak the players and strategies should help.
what reputation are you talking about? This is the most relevant and successful Knicks team in decades. This NYC basketball standard you reference hasn’t existed since John Starks and Oakley….
NY Knicks hard-earned reputation is that of a perpetually inept franchise living off nostalgia
Oh where to begin with this Knicks team.
1) KAT is a magnet for some of the stupidest fouls I’ve seen as a NBA fan.
2) Turnovers are in result of two things, lack of a floor general. I’m sorry but Brunson is not a floor general 2) Increases Indy’s pace of place exponentially.
3) Some of these fouls last night were hilarious, this is a playoff game in late May, not a random nationally televised game in early December. Let them play.
4) Indy’s role players are out performing Knicks role players on both ends of the court. McConnell keeps dribbling around everyone, there’s zero resistance off the dribble regardless of whoever has the ball for Indy.
5) Knicks have zero poise when Indy makes a run. They just buckle under the pressure, and commit turnovers or take the most momentum killing shots I’ve seen in these playoffs.
This series is a wrap, which is sad because this East Finals actually is the best playoff series I can remember from a competitive and pace standpoint in a few years. Can’t get away from the television set when both these teams are matched up against each other.
Every Knicks possession felt like 5 guys standing still into a bad shot or stupid pass into a turnover into a Pacers basket.
Rearrange the starting line up all you want, it’s not going to matter if they can’t play a better offense. I know they don’t really have playmakers but they can at least put effort into off-ball movement and smart passes.
Offense is so stagnant to watch. It’s brunson dribbling 15-20 secs or a quick shot by KAT early in the shot clock, there’s no cuts, no down screens, no creativity…then again look who is the coach and that answers my question lol
It wasn’t like that first half of season. They were a top offense. And ball movement was big key. Player movement was also more present. Imo it has to do more with not having a bench.
@reflect I agree. The problem is roster construction.
Knicks thought 3-and-D wings were the answer, but they went too far in signing BOTH Bridges and Anunoby. Two high-priced non-playmakers is one too many.
Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart are fine players, but, as a group, not a fit with Brunson and Towns.
HUGE decision upcoming on the Bridges contract extension. He may be worth the > $40M/yr on some NBA team, but not the Knicks. That money needs to go to a playmaker or the Knicks are a perennial second-tier team.
I really don’t think the roster is that bad. Not optimal. Maybe not good enough to win a championship but also not the reason they had 17 turnovers in 48 minutes.
I think this team was underprepared for the spotlight. A lot of the turnovers were unforced too. Just braindead passes, alley oop attempts… they played like they were facing an LA Fitness team
agree re the duplication of Bridges and Anonuby at those prices…
Just face it Knicks ran into a team that is smoking hot and better. Pacers are playing team ball and everyone on the team is helping with the wins. Knicks doesn’t play team ball and Brunson can’t do it all for a win. The finals looks like its going to be a great finals with 2 teams OKC and Pacers that play at a fast pace and team ball.
As a Knicks fan I’d be naturally bitter but hopeful that it ends up being a good series. OKC can play different styles. Their half court SGA offense combined with depth and great all around defense could give the Pacers big problems, but who knows?
What I see missing on the Knicks is chemistry within team mates. Its brunson and roll players.This is the coach’s fault for not using the entire bench through out the season. Last year they had more chemistry on the team. OKC/Pacers series will be great since Pacers arered hot right now and OKC been the best team in the NBA all year long.
It’s definitely partially on the coaching staff. But also having such a different roster, and just having to figure it out on the fly all year, is a challenge. Mitch, a big piece, coming back so late. It helped but then hurt against a team like the Pacers, sure of their identity and firing on all cylinders. Hopefully the Knicks build character and grow from this, that’s all a fan can hope for. Team has looked flawed all year but just being relevant again and getting a bit deeper is enough for some of us to be content and cautiously hopeful.
Aww, you’re cautiously hopeful. And you think all a fan can hope for is your team “builds character”
That’s so adorable.
You’re just like a little choo choo train, chugging along.
For eternity.
You’re like the guy on his coach, who thinks he’s better than other people, because his favorite team has had more historical success in a sport he watches on TV.
Hopefully not…for eternity. But seems likely.
You’re like the guy on his couch who wants to feel important, yet cries all year long because his favorite team has less historical success in a sport he watches on TV.
I get that reality is tough for you, Ghost.
You’ve shown what you are. Maybe work on some new material?
Reality is tough for me? This is just basketball my little friend. A way to waste time. You’ve shown what you are as well. Someone who is drastically affected by “my material.” Why would I work on new material when you’re obviously so affected by what I write?
It’s funny AF.
Were you alive in 1973?
Yeah, reality is clearly tough for you. But your imagination is fierce. Deduce.
The last word, yours for the taking now big dog. Where we going with this one?
Sure, I’ll take the last word. I’ll write eight, if you don’t mind.
You’re easy. Thank you. I enjoyed myself much.
Dude you troll only when Pacers win. You got no basketball knowledge. You got more Shhh coming out your mouth than a horses Ares ……
Celtics lost its over. You can will the knicks to lose all you want. Just keep watching us play …..
The biggest difference here is the benches. I have never been a big Towns guy. But he had a solid yr. Bridges also had a solid yr. They are first yr players so this team isn’t close to finished yet. Pacers have exposed their flaws. Knicks even if they lose here. Were never expected to be in East Finals this yr. This is basically a first yr team. Only real basketball fans understand what that means.
Knicks problem is they have too much invested in 3 players so you have very little to obtain a bench. Same problem the warriors has had for the last few years. Only way to be better is trade away some payroll. Only player you can’t trade is Brunson since he is their best player and you build the team around. If they don’t trade Towns or Anunoby its going to be tough building a bench and future payroll.
No we are not there yet. And this is only a problem now cause new cap restrictions. Knicks have four young players who will help next year. Even if its in a trade Kolek, Hukporti, Dadiet, McCullar Jr.
Frankly its been a yr. I’m not sold on Towns. I rather have Mitch start and a real 4 like AD, Sabonis, Siakam, Jackson next to him. You know me I’m not a fan of one way players.
The overall KAT fit is definitely questionable. There was a bit of desperation for a big because IHart left, and a bit of “holy s**t this is possible? bc KAT was available.
I think we’d agree it’s gone better than we thought it might. Let’s hope those kids are ready to play before long, bc it’s true their development is critical given the league’s new cap rules
Thibs has always been an overrated coach. Fire him and the GM. This is what happens when you bring in all your players not through the draft.
They have a team that can’t win a championship but will get to the Conference finals often.
Agreed . And Thibs won’t be back unless the Knicks pull this series out.
Delusional uneducated lala land fans born yesterday with 0 knowledge of nba:
Knicks are the better tm. Higher seed, more Ws, home court, they got brunson who is a superstar scoring machine. They beat the champs. They are fully healthy. Indy has no chance. Not now not ever. Im an expert. I watch espn. I know what im talking about
Reality:
Knicks getting bounced & trounced by superior indy tm. Last yrs excuses of “injuries” is a JOKE. They cant hang with indy. The only thing knicks gonna win is oscar for all the flopping they do. Hali is the real superstar, buzzer beaters & historic stat lines
You’re the ultimate antagonize-only troll fan. You repeat the same nonsense, rehashing takes you hear or read in the media, acting like the Knicks are the evil empire-ish Lakers or Celtics. Posters like you just seem to hate Knick fans and what NYC represents, moreso than the actual Knicks. Further evidenced by how you never talk actual basketball, only shallow smack talk victory posts after Pacer wins or Knick losses. You bring nothing to the table. You must take lessons in class from Hali and his pops.
Maybe this new Knicks core won’t win a chip. But chemistry and development over multiple seasons are things that exist and matter when playing in big games.
In his defense, Haliburton was classy throughout, even in very clearly addressing his dissatisfaction with his dad’s actions
Classy throughout one game? The choke sign as an art of celebration just reeks of no class to me. Be ecstatic, antagonize the fans a bit, maybe run to your teammate who made it all happen. But hey that’s just my opinion, I can’t expect maturity in intense moments from 25 year olds either. Hali hadn’t earned Reggie Miller villain status to me yet, so it came off as disrespectful and clown-ish to me.
people do gestures all the time. The choke sign was a historic reference to Knicks-Pacers. Actually showed that he has knowledge of history and respect for the game.
Also, anyone who is upset that a player who hit a dagger on you does a choke sign needs to worry about their competitive genes, and not class
I saw it as disrespectful to the opponent. Look you win you can celebrate however you want. The rivalry history back then which led to Reggie doing it, just didn’t even closely compare to current Knicks-Pacers level, yet. We’re talking about Game 1, and a reaction to a lucky shot. It didn’t show me anything about Hali except that he’s kinda predictable so far, personality-wise. He’s a hell of a player and I imagine he’ll mature in time.
We’re just watching dude, it’s not that serious. I like the players on my favorite team so I feel for and with them in a way. But competitive genes have nothing to do with this. Players can choose to win or lose with class. I wouldn’t like to see my favorite player doing that, or for kids emulating that as a normal victory celebration when their team makes a great comeback. Let’s show up the opponent before we congratulate each other?
Again just my opinion, about this specific gesture in this specific situation.
Haters always show their ignorance. Troll to hate.
Never understanding what is really going on. Or even understanding the game they troll.
Knicks win gm1 all the haters are still hiding. Like they went away after gm3.
Pacers have exposed Knicks some. The bench is the biggest thing to me. Pacers are playing better. Considering they have been together for years and go ten deep. This Knicks team was put together this year. And Thibs still doesn’t trust his bench. It ain’t over yet …….
Remember when people thought the Knicks were going to win this series?
I mean there’s still a chance … just very unlikely lol
Indeed. I’ll gladly eat my words if they come back. But I don’t think they’ll make it to game 7.
Stop the multiple dumb turnovers early that create the 20 point hole Knicks and you could be up 3-1 right now instead of the Pacers.
The Knicks are in trouble. I can understand trading Donte for Kat. However, trading Grimes and OB1 for basically nothing has depleted the bench drastically. If the Knicks still had both players, Knicks would be a more complete team. Now the Knicks are completely up against the second threshold with nowhere to go to make improvements. I was against trading OG and Mitch for KD or someone else. Now it seems necessary.
No team in history ever fixed one stupid impatient trade by making another stupid impatient trade. Bucks, Suns, and Celtics all arguably are worse off for trying.
Either the current Knicks roster gels together better or they reset and start over. Generally those are the only 2 options that actually lead a tax apron team to a title.
Knicks had a solid year. This team was put together this year. Pacers have exposed some issues with this team. The bench being the biggest. Knicks were trying to become a contender for East this year. They accomplished that. This ain’t over yet. So they will look at adjustments to make them a contender for next year.
That is a Finals contender …..
It ain’t over till it’s over ……. Yogi time.
link to youtu.be
Kat and benchs. Kat need to play a better defense, but i doubt he can. Im not sold on him. He is great offensive player, but terrible defender. To bad mitch is injury prone player. Go get adam.