Knicks Rumors

Knicks Notes: Offseason, Towns, Rose

June 1st, 2025 at 6:00pm CST by Eli Cohen

The Knicks have played their final game of the season after losing Game 6 to the Pacers on Saturday. Now come the questions. But according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the team should be wary of overreacting to the loss, just as the Pacers were when they lost last year’s Eastern Conference Finals to the Celtics.

Marks points to an interview with owner James Dolan earlier this season on Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart‘s Roommates podcast.

“You really have to do the fundamentals, the basics. You’ve got to build a team. You’ve got to build an organization. There is no waving a wand over a team and all of a sudden it makes it a great team,” Dolan said at the time.

The question is whether that will hold true for a team with some real areas of concern on its roster and very limited avenues to address them. The Knicks’ entire bench outside of Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride are free agents, with team options on P.J. Tucker and rookie center Ariel Hukporti. They will have access to the $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception, but using it will trigger a hard cap at the second apron. The rest of the much-needed depth would have to be filled out using minimum-salary contracts, the draft (New York holds only the No. 50 overall pick), and limited trade tools.

Marks points to Robinson’s $13MM expiring salary as a potential trade chip if the Knicks decide to make a bigger move, but they also only have one movable first-rounder (the Wizards’ 2026 top-eight protected pick), along with a few potential pick swaps, to include in a deal.

Finally, the Knicks will have Mikal Bridges‘ extension to decide on. A new deal for Bridges would kick in for 2026, so it doesn’t impact this summer’s salary situation. Karl-Anthony Towns is also extension-eligible, though with three years left on his current contract, it’s a less pressing concern.

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Given the reluctance of Knicks leadership to speak openly or address the media, parsing the next steps forward is something akin to reading the tea leaves, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. He points to president of basketball operations Leon Rose‘s patience in building this roster, though the Towns and Bridges trades seemed to signal a willingness to be more aggressive. Popper also points to the same Dolan interview referenced by Marks, in which the reclusive owner said, “[Rose] has done a good job of lining up the contracts. So this isn’t our only season. So we’re going to play a bunch of seasons together. You take a look at teams like Boston that have played together. They get to draw off something that they built off that period of time. And for this team, that’s really the challenge today, going into the playoffs. It’s to build that inside of the team, something that we can draw on.”
While reports about the team’s frustrations with Towns’ defense began circulating moments after the Knicks’ season ended, Brunson’s praised Towns prior to Game 6 for how he was able to fight through multiple playoff injuries to stay active and involved in the series. “I have the utmost respect for him and the way he’s been able to play throughout this entire season and playoffs,” Brunson said, per Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. Despite a lingering knee injury, Towns finished the series with averages of 24.8 points and 12.2 rebounds while shooting 36.7% from three on five attempts per game.
While it could be a challenging offseason for the Knicks, Rose has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to how to keep taking the right steps forward as an organization, writes the New York Post’s Mike Vaccaro. Vaccaro says that while Rose’s track record spearheading the Knicks isn’t impeccable — after all, whose is? — it has come pretty close, as has his ability to pivot in the rare moments he does make mistakes, such as the summer of 2021 when he built the offseason around signing Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker. Vaccaro suggests the club would benefit from acquiring a starting-caliber player who could shift energizer bunny Hart back to the role he was meant to play, as the team’s sixth man. However, he cautions that any such move would need to be for a player who can defend at a high level, given the limitations to the Brunson and Towns defensive tandem. Rose has earned that benefit of the doubt, Vaccaro writes, but his test starts now.

Knicks Notes: Hart, Tucker, Towns, Bridges, Thibodeau

June 1st, 2025 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

The Knicks just completed their most successful season in over two decades, but that doesn’t guarantee the core of the team will stay together, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. After winning 51 games and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the season ended in disappointment Saturday night with a 17-point loss at Indiana in Game 6.

New York was favored heading into the series and appeared to be good position to reach its first NBA Finals since 1999 after dispatching the Celtics in the second round and seeing the top-seeded Cavaliers lose to Indiana. However, the Knicks let a big lead slip away in the opener against the Pacers and weren’t able to recover from a 2-0 series deficit.

Reflecting on the season, Josh Hart told reporters that changes often follow when teams fall short of their goals.

“You’re always going to hear me say, ‘Run it back,’” Hart said. “I think you heard me say the same thing last year with the guys we had. I’d like to do it. I feel like this team is good enough to make the next step. But it’s a business. And when you don’t get to where you feel like you could’ve or should’ve, changes are made.”

With Hart, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride all under contract for next season, the Knicks have the option to attempt another run at the Finals with the same group intact. But they were in a similar position a year ago and opted for two major offseason trades that brought in Bridges and Towns.

“This is my eighth year. This is my fourth organization. I’ve had six or seven coaches,” Hart said. “It’s tough, we’re going to have to see. Don’t think you can ever be too comfortable. I’ll open [the X app] one day and I’m somewhere else. That’s what’s disappointing the most, knowing there’s a good chance this team might not be back in totality.”

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The path to the conference finals wasn’t smooth, as players held several team meetings to help them refocus after losses, league sources tell James L. Edwards and Fred Katz of The Athletic. They note that the team had to deal with disputes on the bench, criticism that coach Tom Thibodeau was leaning too heavily on his starters, and player comments regarding “sacrifice,” “egos” and “agendas.” A players-only meeting following the Game 5 loss at Boston was called by P.J. Tucker, whom the authors say was signed as a free agent to help bring order to the team. The front office believed there was a need for better locker room leadership, so the 40-year-old Tucker, who only appeared in three regular season games, was added in April instead of someone who could provide more help on the court.
Teammates and coaches were frustrated throughout the season by Towns’ poor defensive habits, Edwards and Katz add. Sources tell them that Towns would often fail to execute the correct coverage without explaining why, leading some players to believe he “didn’t grasp the importance of the matter.”
Bridges will become eligible for a four-year, $156MM extension this summer, which will be the next step in seeing if management plans a long-term commitment to the current roster. Edwards and Katz report that Bridges’ fit wasn’t as smooth as expected, as he “shied away from physicality,” missed too many jump shots and didn’t provide the consistent defensive presence that he displayed earlier in his career. He also talked to the press in March about the starters playing too many minutes, which the authors state is a taboo subject to discuss publicly on Thibodeau teams.
Thibodeau’s job appears to be safe, as he has strong support from team president Leon Rose and Brunson, according to Edwards and Katz, although they point out that owner James Dolan has the final decision. Brunson bristled at speculation about his coach’s future after Saturday’s game, relays Jared Schwartz of The New York Post, responding, “Is that a real question right now? You just asked me if I believe he’s the right guy. Yes. Come on.”

Eastern Notes: Pacers, Knicks, Edgecombe, Hornets, Raptors

May 31st, 2025 at 12:04pm CST by Rory Maher

After taking a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers‘ high-octane offense only managed 94 points in a Game 5 loss in New York. As Jamal Collier of ESPN writes, that total was a playoff-low for the Pacers, who also turned the ball over 20 times, the most turnovers they’ve committed in a game this postseason.

“We’re a resilient group,” star point guard Tyrese Haliburton said after the game. “We always want to respond when things don’t go well after a game like that. We understand what the stakes are. … We’re fine. There’s no need to panic or anything.”

Despite the wire-to-wire defeat, All-Star forward Pascal Siakam is confident Indiana will rebound with a strong home showing tonight in Game 6, according to Collier.

“You’re going to have bad games,” Siakam said. “This is the NBA, and there’s going to be times where a team is going to play hard. In fact, they’re going to beat you.

“It is just all about us, man. It’s always been us against the world, and I don’t expect it to change. … We are 3-2 in a series, and we have an opportunity to go back home and show what we’re made of.”

Here are a few more notes from around the East:

ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Zach Kram and Chris Herring list some keys to watch ahead of Game 6. Kram views the health and play of Aaron Nesmith as the Pacers‘ biggest X factor, while how well Jalen Brunson holds up on defense will be critical for the Knicks.
Rival executives believe the Hornets will target V.J. Edgecombe if he’s still available at No. 4 in next month’s draft, according to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, who hears the Baylor guard had an “excellent” interview with Charlotte. Unsurprisingly, O’Connor has the Hornets selecting Edgecombe — who’s also the fourth-rated prospected on ESPN’s big board — at No. 4 in his latest mock draft.
According to O’Connor, several rival teams think the Raptors are leaning toward selecting a prospect who can contribute right away rather than a long-term project with their lottery pick. Toronto holds the No. 9 pick in June’s draft. For what it’s worth, O’Connor has the team picking Washington State wing Cedric Coward.

Knicks Notes: Injury Report, Hart, Turnovers, Game 6

May 31st, 2025 at 10:57am CST by Rory Maher

No Knicks are listed on the team’s injury report this morning ahead of Saturday’s pivotal Game 6 in Indiana, tweets James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. That’s certainly a good sign for the Knicks, as one of their best players was considered a game-time decision on Thursday.

Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns was initially questionable to suit up for Game 5 due to a left knee issue, but he wound up playing 36 minutes and recording 24 points and 13 rebounds in New York’s victory.

Here are a few more notes on the Knicks:

Wing Josh Hart had a bounce-back performance on Thursday after being disappointed with his effort in Game 4, writes Barbara Barker of Newsday (subscriber link). Hart fouled out in Game 4 and only dished out one assist while committing five turnovers. “I was really embarrassed about what I was doing, how I looked and the lack of intensity, lack of passion and lack of competitiveness,” Hart said of how he felt after watching the Game 4 loss that gave the Pacers a 3-1 lead. “I was embarrassed, honestly. Not even the turnovers. But giving up back cuts, not communicating. I’m the guy who’s supposed to play with a high competitive nature, a high motor. Those were things I wasn’t doing. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, let alone look at these guys.” The Knicks will need Hart to continue playing like he did in Game 5 in order to stave off elimination again tonight, Barker adds.
Although Game 5 was the Knicks’ first decisive victory of the Eastern Conference Finals, they still committed 15 turnovers, which has been an ongoing issue in the series, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Eliminating some of those miscues will be important in Game 6. “It’s not just [Towns, who had four turnovers],” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The big thing is keeping it simple. The first open man, hit him. Oftentimes, the intent is good, but we’re trying to thread the needle and we can’t do that.”
Steve Popper of Newsday (subscription required) lists three keys for the Knicks ahead of Game 6, with the first — and most important — being finding a way to slow down Tyrese Haliburton again. After recording 32 points (on 11-of-23 shooting), 15 assists and 12 rebounds in Game 4, New York limited Haliburton to eight points (on 2-of-7 shooting), six assists and two rebounds in the Game 5 victory.

Poll: Who Will Win Knicks/Pacers Game 6?

May 30th, 2025 at 9:59pm CST by Eli Cohen

The Pacers and Knicks are the only two teams left standing in the Eastern Conference, as each team seeks to seal a ticket to Oklahoma City to face a rested and waiting Thunder team.

Indiana jumped out to a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, aided, in part, by a massive comeback in what has become a pivotal Game 1 in New York that saw the Knicks melt down in the fourth quarter. On the brink of elimination, the Knicks won a wire-to-wire victory against the Pacers on Thursday night to extend the series to at least six games.

Now, the two teams will head back to Indiana as the Knicks seek to continue their road dominance and push the series to a Game 7 back in Madison Square Garden. New York is 6-2 on the road during the playoffs, while the Pacers have only lost four games all postseason, two being to the Knicks.

The Knicks, as a franchise, are 0-15 in series in which they’ve faced a 3-1 deficit, and the last instance of an Eastern Conference Finals team surrendering a 3-1 lead was in 1981, when the Celtics came back to beat the 76ers.

Both the Knicks and Pacers have engineered their fair share of miracle comebacks this playoffs, with the Knicks overcoming 20-point deficits twice against the Celtics and once against the Pacers, while Indiana has had at least one massive comeback in each series so far, against the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks.

In Game 5, the Knicks were able to tap into a defensive gear they had struggled to maintain throughout the playoffs, limiting stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam to a combined 23 points on 20 shots, while Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns took turns dominating offensively. The Knicks also seemed to find success with bench units that coach Tom Thibodeau had been reluctant to turn to before this series, with Landry Shamet, Delon Wright, and Precious Achiuwa all finding success in limited minutes.

The Pacers have yet to lose two games in a row in the playoffs, and have won games following a loss by an average of 18.3 points. They are also hoping to be bolstered by Aaron Nesmith returning to form after he played just 16 minutes in Game 5 while struggling through an ankle injury. He is no longer listed on the injury report. Haliburton has vowed to be more aggressive getting downhill in Game 6, after the Knicks’ increased defensive intensity seemed to take him out of his game and limited him to just seven shot attempts.

The Knicks will be looking to their wings to knock down open shots. While OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are each averaging 16 points per game, they’re shooting 29% and 33% from three, respectively, and have been unable to take advantage of the open looks created by the attention Brunson and Towns command. On the other side of the coin, Pacers shooting guard Andrew Nembhard has been uncharacteristically quiet, averaging just 9.0 points and 2.6 assists per game for the series after averaging 14.6 PPG and 6 APG in the first two rounds.

Brunson and Haliburton have proven themselves to be two of the most clutch performers in the sport, which will make any contest that’s tight going into the final five minutes that much more exciting.

While it can be expected that the star tandems of Brunson and Towns and Haliburton and Siakam will show up in such a high-pressure game, whether or not this series gets extended to seven games will likely come down to which team’s ancillary players are able to make the other team pay for allowing them room to find their offense.

We want to hear from you. Will the Pacers close out the series and advance to their first NBA Finals since 2000, or will the Knicks be able to extend the series to a winner-takes-all Game 7?

Knicks Notes: Towns, Shamet, Brunson, Game 5

May 30th, 2025 at 5:05pm CST by Eli Cohen

Karl-Anthony Towns was listed as a game-time decision due to a left knee contusion heading into the Knicks‘ Game 5 homestand against the Pacers, but that didn’t stop him from putting his best foot forward as the Knicks staved off elimination with a 111-94 victory.

“Shout out to our medical staff. They gave me a chance to go out there and compete tonight,” Towns said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. “I’m glad I was able to. We put a lot of hours trying to get myself ready and I got a chance and God was good and I was able to go out there and play.”

Coming into the night, Towns was constantly flexing his knee in the hope that the pain would dissipate, according to SI’s Chris Mannix.

While co-star Jalen Brunson keyed the Knicks’ scoring efforts in the first quarter, Towns took over in the second, finishing the first half with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and ending the game with 24 points and 13 rebounds while playing a game-high 35.5 minutes.

With the season on the line, the Knicks knew that getting the most out of Towns’ offensive skill set was crucial to live to fight another day.

“In this series I’ve had a lot of success getting downhill, getting to the rim,” Towns said. “I can shoot the three ball but [tonight] I really wanted to get downhill and impose my will early.”

While the team knows the odds are against fighting back from a 3-1 deficit, Towns remains optimistic, thanks in large part to the mindset of the group of players assembled by president Leon Rose.

“One through 15, everyone’s doing an amazing job of wanting to win and being there for each other. This team’s special,” Towns said.

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Landry Shamet had played just 31 minutes in the 2025 playoffs prior to the Eastern Conference Finals, but has logged 36 minutes over the last three games. Despite a modest Game 5 stat line of five points, one rebound, and one steal, his contributions were invaluable, writes The New York Post’s Jared Schwartz. While generally known as a shooting specialist, the 28-year-old wing’s most important contributions were on defense, where he helped contain Pacers’ reserve T.J. McConnell and contributed to a solid team defensive effort alongside fellow seldom-played reserves Delon Wright and Precious Achiuwa. “I love New York. I love these fans. I see how they ride the wave with us, the highs, the lows. So it’s important to me. I just wanna give everything I’ve got to them,” Shamet said.
Brunson was the leader New York needed in Game 5, writes Zach Braziller of the New York Post. The Knicks’ captain always spearheads the team’s offensive attack, but following a disappointing Game 4 that saw the Clutch Player of the Year score just two points in the final period, Brunson was focused on a bigger picture approach to leadership. “[I wanted to] set a tone, for sure. It wasn’t through putting the ball in the basket. That happened, but just trying to make sure we were all on the same page and ready to go,” he said. For one game, at least, the efforts paid off, as the Knicks came out with a renewed focus defensively and an offensive game plan that showed more intentionality in how they attacked.
Speaking of intentionality and focus, in those two regards, the Knicks sent a clear message in Game 5, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. New York won in all the categories it needed to in order to steal a game and put pressure back on Indiana, including taking more shots, rebounding more, turning it over less, and dominating in the paint. The purpose and attention to detail was most evident on the defensive end, Edwards writes, with crisp rotations, big-time defensive play-making from OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, and contributions throughout the lineup. “It started at the point of attack, with Mikal (Bridges), just picking up and making things hard,” Miles McBride said after the game. “Everybody talked and communicated a lot more. I just felt like we had an edge to us tonight.”

Knicks Notes: Robinson, Payne, Game 5, Defense

May 29th, 2025 at 11:40pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson helped New York extend its postseason with a 111-94 Game 5 victory over Indiana on Thursday night, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post.

Robinson has been starting in the stead of guard Josh Hart since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. That said, Hart is still playing starter’s minutes, even as the team’s new sixth man, averaging 12 minutes per game more than Robinson.

“It’s just matchups and what’s going on in the game,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said of his decision to keep Robinson in the starting five. “Sometimes it’s impacted by foul trouble as well.”

Robinson logged six points, six boards, two blocks and a steal in 20 minutes of action. Beyond the statistics, Robinson’s defense against Indiana helped the Knicks build out a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter.

The 26-year-old will be on an expiring $13MM deal next season. His health has been an ongoing question mark throughout his pro career, but his defensive upside could put him in line for a raise on an extension and/or make him an intriguing asset for rival teams.

There’s more out of New York:

Knicks reserve guard Cameron Payne has fallen out of New York’s rotation even as Thibodeau has built out his bench rotation to include veterans Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, notes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post (subscriber link). Payne had suited up for all of New York’s first 14 playoff bouts, averaging 7.2 MPG. He has now been a healthy scratch in each of the Knicks’ last three games. Payne, on an expiring veteran’s minimum contract, may be playing himself out of a future in New York.
On the brink of elimination, the Knicks now live to fight another day after shellacking Indiana in Game 5. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link) supplies his report card, awarding All-Star guard Jalen Brunson an A for his 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field. “I’m just very proud of what we did,” Brunson said, per SNY.tv (Twitter link). “Now, we’ve just got to replicate it in the first quarter of next game and then continue to build on that.”
The Knicks’ aggressive defense proved critical in stopping the best efforts of the Pacers’ best player, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, notes Schwartz in another piece. Haliburton notched a turnover-free 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double in Game 4. All-Defensive swingman Mikal Bridges served as Haliburton’s primary defender in Game 5. Haliburton didn’t connect from the floor until the third quarter. The two-time All-Star shot just 2-of-8 from the floor to finish with eight points. Robinson’s versatile defense proved crucial against the Pacers all over the floor. Shamet and Wright chipped in defensively, too.

Karl-Anthony Towns Active For Game 5

May 29th, 2025 at 6:29pm CST by Arthur Hill

May 29: Towns will start on Thursday after previously being referred to as a game-time decision by head coach Tom Thibodeau, tweets Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

May 28: The Knicks need a win Thursday night to extend their season, but they aren’t assured of having star big man Karl-Anthony Towns available. Towns has been listed as questionable on the official injury report for Game 5 with a left knee contusion.

Towns fell to the court in pain while grabbing his left knee after a collision with Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith with 2:11 left to play in Game 4 (YouTube link). He was able to stay in the game, but Peter Botte of The New York Post notes that he seemed to be favoring the same knee earlier in the night.

“I’m only thinking about this loss, I’m not thinking about that right now,” Towns told reporters when asked about his chances to play on Thursday. “It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win. Just didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”

Coach Tom Thibodeau was optimistic about Towns’ condition, saying “it’s a good sign” that he was able to continue playing. Thibodeau added that “we’ll see where he is after he gets evaluated” by the team’s medical staff.

Towns was the hero of Game 3 with a 20-point fourth quarter that sparked New York to its only victory so far in the series. He posted 24 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes in Game 4, but only attempted two three-pointers. He was pulled from the game four minutes into the first quarter after picking up two early fouls.

If Towns is unavailable on Thursday, Josh Hart will presumably return to the starting lineup. He started all 77 games he played during the regular season, but Thibodeau moved him to the bench in Games 3 and 4 while using a double-big approach with Mitchell Robinson alongside Towns.

Pacers Notes: Haliburton, Siakam, Mathurin, Nesmith

May 29th, 2025 at 12:03pm CST by Luke Adams

After blaming himself for the Pacers‘ second-half offensive issues in Game 3, Tyrese Haliburton responded with his best game of the postseason in Game 4 on Tuesday. As Jamal Collier of ESPN writes, Haliburton became the first player since the NBA began tracking turnovers in 1977 to rack up at least 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds (he had 32, 15, and 12) in a playoff game without committing a turnover.

“I just want to be able to prove that I can respond when my back’s against the wall, when our team’s back is against the wall,” Haliburton said after the victory, which gave Indiana a 3-1 series lead. “This is a big win for us because if we go back down there 2-2, it’s a little different momentum-wise.”

With the Pacers just one win away from earning a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, Haliburton is in the process of establishing himself as a legitimate NBA superstar.

“His ability to play both on and off the ball is so unique,” one Western Conference executive told Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “It allows him to be Steph Curry-esque.”

While opposing point guard Jalen Brunson is putting up better individual scoring numbers than Haliburton in the Eastern Conference Finals, Haliburton is being lauded for his ability to take care of the ball and set up his teammates for scoring opportunities, as Bontemps writes.

“(Haliburton is) throwing it ahead, playing out of dribble handoffs, running pick-and-rolls, so he gets everyone involved,” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “So (Aaron) Nesmith is throwing himself into defense because he knows he’s going to get touches and shots.

“I didn’t think (Haliburton) had this jump in him. He’s shown so much more just because he makes his teammates better. Those guys have all been put in positions to succeed. All these guys are the best versions of themselves now because they have been instilled with confidence and optimized.”

Here’s more on the Pacers ahead of Thursday’s Game 5:

Various sources who spoke to Bontemps expressed admiration for the Pacers’ ability to repeat – and potentially outdo – last spring’s playoff success. One scout admitted he was surprised by Indiana’s deep postseason run, but acknowledged they’re “so solid everywhere” and “don’t have any weaknesses,” while an assistant coach pointed out that Indiana is in good position to run it back with this roster in 2025/26. “Assuming they bring back (free agent center) Myles (Turner), they’re such a complete team,” that assistant told ESPN. “And they have size and physicality at every position. And it’s sustainable because of the deals they have everyone signed to.”
As good as Haliburton has been in the Eastern Finals, it’s forward Pascal Siakam who is leading the Pacers in scoring through four games vs. New York. As Peter Botte of The New York Post writes, Siakam is getting the best of former teammate and good friend OG Anunoby en route to his big scoring nights.
After a quiet start to the series, Bennedict Mathurin showed in Game 4 that he’s capable of making an outsized impact in a limited role, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Mathurin, who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, poured in 20 points in just 12:29 of action on Tuesday.
Playing through a sprained ankle in Game 4, Nesmith continued to have a major hand in the club’s success, scoring 16 points and playing solid defense against Brunson. As Nate Duncan tweets, the Knicks star shot just 3-of-13 from the floor with Nesmith as his primary defender, doing almost all of his damage against other Pacers.
Nesmith is once again listed as questionable to play in Game 5, but his comments after Game 4’s win suggest he’s highly likely to suit up on Thursday. “I was like, I don’t care how I feel. I’m playing,” he said, per David Aldridge of The Athletic. “This is what we all live for. This is (what) we’ve been preparing for all year long, our entire lifetimes. These moments, I can’t miss these moments.”

Knicks Notes: Deficit, Defense, Lineup Change, Towns, Brunson, Bridges, Hart

May 28th, 2025 at 8:35am CST by Dana Gauruder

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.”

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