The New York Knicks bested the Indiana Pacers 128-115 on Tuesday night, securing their place among the elite of the Eastern Conference reports the Associated Press. The win was highlighted by Karl-Anthony Towns' spectacular performance, where he scored 40 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, showcasing his scoring efficiency and presence under the basket.
Despite coming off two losses, the Knicks demonstrated determination to bounce back, solidifying their hold on the third seed within the conference. With this victory, they moved to 35 wins out of 53 games for the 2024-25 season. Towns' stellar night came accompanied by Josh Hart, who added 30 points and ten rebounds, making him instrumental especially during the absence of the Knicks' usual playmaker, Jalen Brunson, due to foul trouble.
The game opened with both teams displaying impressive offensive skills. The Knicks took the early lead, but the Pacers quickly countered to take the advantage, closing the first quarter 27-26. This back-and-forth highlighted the competitive spirit between the two rival teams, reminiscent of their playoff clash last season.
Throughout the second quarter, the teams grappled for dominance, exchanging leads until New York pulled away late. A key run led by Miles McBride, who hit all his three attempts, helped the Knicks assert control, catapulting them to a 61-50 lead before the half.
Coming out of the halftime break, Indiana surged back, leaning on the efforts of Thomas Bryant and Pascal Siakam. Bryant showcased efficiency with 18 points and solid rebounding, but his efforts proved futile as the Knicks were relentless, deploying Towns and Hart to counter the Pacers' attack.
Bradley led the fourth quarter for the Knicks, turning defensive stands and dynamic ball movement to maintain their lead. Towns' command of the glass allowed the Knicks to flourish offensively, out-rebounding the Pacers 48 to 36, adding significant possessions to their total.
It was not just the starters who contributed; the bench played a significant role, with key performances from Landry Shamet and McBride. Their efficiency on both ends of the court proved invaluable, and their combined effort has been seldom seen throughout the season.
The Pacers, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace, bringing the game closer but never fully regaining control. Siakam's 24-point performance and Haliburton's contributions of 16 points were overshadowed by turnovers and offensive breakdowns, particularly against the Knicks' tenacious defense.
With the win, New York established their dominance over Indiana this season, notching two victories out of their three matchups so far. The victory keeps the Knicks on track for their eighth win out of ten games, whereas for Indiana, this marks their third loss in four games, stalling their momentum as they cling to the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks look forward to their next game against the Atlanta Hawks, whilst the Pacers are set to face the Washington Wizards, seeking to bounce back before the All-Star break.