NEW YORK — This time, there would be no need for a 20-point quarter from Aaron Nesmith, no need for a miracle bounce off the back of the rim to send the game into overtime, but the Indiana Pacers nonetheless took another game in Madison Square Garden, beating the New York Knicks 114-109.
The Knicks did make a late charge Friday night, eventually getting a Josh Hart layup to close the margin to one, but Jalen Brunson fouled Nesmith on an inbounds play. Nesmith flushed both free throws, and Brunson’s desperation heave in the final seconds clanked off the back of the rim.
Although both teams entered the fourth quarter tied, the Pacers pulled away behind crisp passing, timely shot making and a monster game from forward Pascal Siakam. All five Pacers starters reached double figures in scoring, but it was Siakam’s 39 points on an ultra-efficient 15-of-23 shooting performance that was the centerpiece for the Pacers.
All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton started slowly in the first half, scoring just two points, but he was far more aggressive in the second half in seeking his shot, scoring 12 more after intermission.
And, suddenly, the season for the Knicks hangs in peril. New York must now win four of the next five games to advance, with the next two coming at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Game 3 is Sunday (8 p.m. ET, TNT).
USA TODAY Sports’ had full coverage of Game 2 from Madison Square Garden. Scroll below for a recap and highlights:
Pacers vs. Knicks: Full Game 2 highlights
Final: Pacers 114, Knicks 109
Pascal Siakam scored 39 points – a personal playoff high – to lead the Indiana Pacers to the Game 2 win over the New York Knicks Friday on night at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers forward made 15 of 23 shots, including 3-of-5 3-pointers and 6-of-8 from the free throw line.
3Q: Pacers 81, Knicks 81
NEW YORK — Pascal Siakam, who leads all scorers with 32 points, continued to scorch the Knicks, finishing the third quarter with nine points on timely shots, as the Pacers used a mini-spurt to take a five-point lead midway through the frame. Siakam has the Knicks seemed resigned to play iso ball at times, leading to ill-advised shots.
After a 17-point first half, Jalen Brunson had his first points in the third with a 3-pointer to tie the score at 70 with four minutes remaining. The score was tied seven times in the frame.
But it was Tyrese Haliburton, who only scored two points in the first half, who through the chants of “overrated” got his game going by scoring 10 in the quarter. That complemented and took pressure off Siakam being the No. 1 option. Haliburton also has eight assists and six rebounds. Brunson leads New York with 24 points.
Halftime: Knicks 52, Pacers 49
NEW YORK — It looks like we’ll have another tight one in the Garden.
After a second quarter that saw eight lead changes, the Knicks are taking a modest three-point lead into the half, 52-49.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns lifted New York early in the quarter, scoring all 12 of his points in the period. Jalen Bruson leads all Knicks with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting. One area where the Knicks have capitalized is second-chance points, with New York holding an early 10-6 edge, led by backup center Mitchell Robinson’s three offensive boards.
One thing to watch for the Pacers: All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, whose game-tying jumper Wednesday sent Game 1 to overtime, scored only two points in the first half, with his first bucket coming at the two-minute mark in the half on a driving floater. He struggled to assert himself offensively and deferred to his teammates, shooting 1-of-6 in the half.
Where Haliburton was quiet, Pacers forward Pascal Siakam carried the team, scoring nine of his 23 points in the second quarter.
Q1: Knicks 26, Pacers 24
NEW YORK — Indiana picked up where it left off in Game 1, firing on all cylinders, with Pascal Siakam scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The Pacers shot out to an early 10-point lead, thanks to 61% shooting as the Knicks defense let the Pacers do their work in the paint. New York’s first 11 points came from OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson. Josh Hart got into early foul trouble, with two fouls in the first seven minutes. The Knicks went on a 10-0 run to tie the score at 19. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton went scoreless in 10 minutes of action and the Pacers went nearly six minutes without a field goal to end the quarter.
What time is Pacers vs. Knicks?
Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks is set to start at 8 p.m. ET.
Knicks starting five for Game 2
Pacers starting five for Game 2
John McEnroe visits TNT’s ‘Inside the NBA’
Seven-time major winning tennis star John McEnroe stopped by TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show to promote the upcoming French Open, which will be broadcast on TNT for the first time, starting Sunday.
McEnroe never won the French Open, but finished as a runner-up to Ivan Lendl in 1984. He predicted Ben Shelton and Francis Tiafoe are the Americans with the best shot at winning at Roland Garros this year.
Like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, McEnroe turned to broadcasting after his career.
“I didn’t know that I was going to be great (on television). In fact, it was the last last thing I wanted to do. At the end of my career, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be a commentator. That’s really pathetic.’ I got an opportunity and got some good advice, be yourself.”
Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors forward who has a history of earning technical fouls for his outbursts on the court, asked McEnroe for advice on how to control his emotions. McEnroe jokingly replied, “The last person you want to talk to is me. It’s hopeless for either one of us.” — Cydney Henderson
All-NBA teams announced: Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic lead first team
Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic lead the 15-member All-NBA team announced Friday.
Joining them on the first team were Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were unanimous selections from the media panel, as they were last season. Tatum and Antetokounmpo also were unanimous picks.
A panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. The selections are positionless, and each player must have played 65 games in order to be eligible for postseason awards, including the All-NBA team. The voting occurs before the playoffs. See which 15 players made the All-NBA team here.
Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James for GOAT? Where does Jordan’s agent rank LBJ?
Many people believe that the debate over who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the NBA has been settled, with Michael Jordan widely regarded as the top player. While David Falk, Jordan’s longtime agent, agrees that MJ deserves this title, he also shared his thoughts on where LeBron James fits into the conversation.
Falk, who has represented NBA legends such as Jordan, Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing, shared his insights and advice for aspiring sports industry executives regarding the ever-evolving NBA landscape. He spoke at the Sports Business Journal 4SE conference in Manhattan on May 20. Read where he thinks LeBron ranks here. ‒ Elizabeth Flores
NBA post-combine mock draft: Who improved their standing?
With the NBA draft lottery (hello, Dallas Mavericks) and draft combine over, teams and prospects now turn their attention to pro days and mostly private workouts where even more impressions are made.
Those impressions lead to decisions at the June 25-26 NBA draft. Maybe it makes the difference between getting selected 16th or 13th. See how USA TODAY Sports’ reporters Jeff Zillgitt, Lorenzo Reyes and James Williams predict the draft here.
Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1 viewership big win for TNT, NBA
Indiana’s 138-135 Game 1 overtime victory against New York on Wednesday averaged 6.6 million viewers, making the game the most-watched Eastern Conference final Game 1 since 2018, according to TNT. Viewership peaked at 8.5 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET – right around the time the Pacers made their stunning comeback. The game also won the night in primetime, per TNT, which is a huge victory for the network and the league. — Jeff Zillgitt
Which celebrities and former players are at Madison Square Garden?
Who will show up to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 on Friday? We got you covered. USA TODAY Sports is tracking all the stars in attendance of the arena’s highly-coveted ‘celebrity row.’
Pacers vs. Knicks predictions: Expert picks for Game 2
USA TODAY: Knicks to win Game 2
The USA TODAY staff picks for Game 2 are nearly unanimous, with the Knicks claiming a 6-1 edge.
Scooby Axson: Knicks
Cydney Henderson: Knicks
Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks
Jordan Mendoza: Knicks
Heather Tucker: Knicks
James WIlliams: Knicks
Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers
Dimers: Knicks 116, Pacers 111
Dimers’ simulations have given the Knicks a 70% chance of winning Game 2, with a five-point margin the most likely outcome.
Covers.com: Knicks even the series
Jason Logan writes: ‘There are several alternate realities in which the Knicks held on to that late lead and won Game 1. It just wasn’t ours. Books have New York installed as 5.5-point favorites for Game 2, and while Indiana is always live, a series split seems more probable considering the Knicks played well for 47 minutes before coming undone on Wednesday. New York wins Game 2.’
ClutchPoints: Pacers 108, Knicks 103
Using the NBA 2K25 video game to simulate Game 2, Massimo Marchiano has the Pacers claiming a five-point win.
Pacers vs. Knicks odds
The New York Knicks are favored to win Game 2, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Thursday, May 22.
Spread: Knicks (-5.5)
Moneyline: Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190)
Over/under: 226.5
Pacers vs. Knicks series predictions: Expert picks
Before Game 1, USA TODAY Sports experts made predictions for the Eastern Conference finals winner:
Pacers vs. Knicks series winner
Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers in six
Lorenzo Reyes: Knicks in seven
Heather Tucker: Knicks in seven
James Williams: Knicks in six
Jordan Mendoza: Knicks in seven
Scooby Axson: Knicks in seven
Cydney Henderson: Knicks in six
How to watch Pacers vs. Knicks: TV, stream
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden
TV: TNT, truTV
Stream: Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV
Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 on Fubo
Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference finals schedule
(Pacers lead series 2-0)
Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)
Game 2: Pacers 114, Knicks 109
Game 3, May 25: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.
Game 4, May 27: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.
Game 5, May 29: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*
Game 6, May 31: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.*
Game 7, June 2: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*
All times Eastern; *-if necessary