Knicks vs Pacers: Preview, Key Matchups, and Game Analysis

A dramatic Eastern Conference Finals series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers concluded recently, with the Pacers emerging victorious in six games to advance to the 2025 NBA Finals. This article focuses strictly on what happened, who it affected, and what it means moving forward.

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Series Outcome and Why It Mattered

The Indiana Pacers closed out the series with a decisive 125–108 Game 6 win in Indianapolis, sealing their first Finals berth since 2000 and only the second in franchise history (en.wikipedia.org). Pascal Siakam earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors, finishing with 31 points in that game and delivering a dominant overall performance (en.wikipedia.org).

This series mattered for both franchises. The Knicks reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 and aimed to break their long Finals drought, while the Pacers aimed to return to the Finals after a 25-year absence (en.wikipedia.org).

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Key Moments and Turning Points

• Game 1 featured one of the most remarkable comebacks of the postseason. Aaron Nesmith drilled six 3s in the fourth quarter, powering a 138–135 overtime win for Indiana after a 14-point deficit late in regulation (en.wikipedia.org).

• In Game 2, Pascal Siakam exploded for a playoff career-high 39 points. Myles Turner added 16, and Tyrese Haliburton nearly notched a triple-double. The Pacers secured a crucial road win and took a 2–0 series lead .

• The Knicks answered in Game 3 with resilience. Down by 16 in the third quarter, Karl-Anthony Towns poured in 20 fourth-quarter points to pull off a road win and keep the series alive (en.wikipedia.org).

• Game 4 belonged to Indiana, fueled by Haliburton’s extraordinary 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double without a turnover—joining historic company with only Oscar Robertson and Nikola Jokić having done the same (en.wikipedia.org).

• New York forced a Game 6 with a commanding Game 5 performance at home. They held Indiana to just 94 points on 97 possessions—their worst offensive output of the playoffs—and leaned on improved defense to stay alive .

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Tactical Matchups That Shaped the Series

Towns vs Turner

Karl-Anthony Towns consistently challenged Indiana’s interior defense. In three regular-season matchups, he averaged 30.3 points and 12 rebounds. The Knicks relied on his ability to stretch the floor, forcing Myles Turner to defend high upcourt—a matchup that slightly favored the Knicks in halfcourt offense .

Anunoby vs Siakam

Pascal Siakam’s versatility required defensive discipline. OG Anunoby’s defensive presence and physicality aimed to contain Siakam’s scoring and second-chance work. This matchup had implications for both mid-range control and rebounding battles .

Rebounding Edge and Bench Impact

New York’s dominance in offensive rebounding gave them extended possessions and second-chance points. Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein played a key role in this edge. Meanwhile, Indiana’s depth—contributing balanced offense across their rotation—underscored their bench strength .

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Series Trends and Shifting Momentum

Indiana relied on high-powered offense, posting a playoff-high effective field goal percentage of 58.3%, a mark that would make NBA history if maintained . They repeatedly engineered late-game comebacks, showing resilience and poise.

Meanwhile, the Knicks leaned on defensive bursts and timely rotations. In Game 5, they deployed an extended bench rotation to preserve energy for critical moments. Their defense held the Pacers below a point per possession for the full 48 minutes .

But Indiana’s offensive consistency and ability to execute under pressure ultimately swung the series in their favor.

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What Comes Next

The Pacers move on to the 2025 NBA Finals, setting up a showdown with the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder . For New York, the loss triggers immediate questions about leadership—by June 3, they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after consecutive 50-win seasons (en.wikipedia.org).

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“You cannot assume going home is going to be easier. Each game becomes harder.”
— Indiana coach Rick Carlisle, on the series intensity

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In a postseason defined by tight games, shifting leads, and individual brilliance, the Pacers displayed depth, adaptability, and late-game execution. The Knicks were valiant but fell short.

The Finals will test Indiana’s resilience against elite competition. For New York, the offseason will reveal whether changes can transform today’s effort into a championship push for 2026.

Let me know if you’d like breakdowns on player-by-player performance, series statistics or matchup analytics.