The Pacers Top the Knicks in Game 4

In another intense clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers outlasted the New York Knicks 130-121 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, seizing a commanding 3-1 series lead. The game showcased Indiana’s relentless pace and offensive firepower, exposing New York’s defensive vulnerabilities while highlighting the brilliance of Tyrese Haliburton. For the Knicks, the loss underscored persistent issues with consistency and defensive discipline, despite valiant efforts from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The game opened with both teams trading blows in a frenetic, high-scoring affair. Indiana’s up tempo style, driven by Haliburton’s playmaking, pushed the Pacers to a 71% shooting clip in the first quarter, with Haliburton himself dropping 12 points and dishing five assists. The Knicks, unfazed, matched the intensity, shooting 70% from the field, led by Brunson’s crafty drives and Towns’ outside shooting. By the end of the first, Indiana clung to a 31-29 lead, setting the tone for a game where defense seemed optional.

The second quarter saw more of the same, with both teams exploiting mismatches. Pascal Siakam emerged as a force to be reckoned with for the Pacers, using his versatility to score in the paint and from mid-range, while New York leaned on Towns’ floor-spacing ability and Mikal Bridges’ timely buckets. However, Indiana’s ability to generate open looks through quick ball movement gave them a slight edge, heading into halftime with a 68-63 lead. The Knicks’ failure to capitalize on Indiana’s occasional turnovers hinted at cracks in their execution that would widen later.

The turning point came early in the third quarter, where New York’s defensive lapses and two critical turnovers allowed Indiana to stretch their lead from five to nine points in mere minutes. Haliburton, orchestrating the offense with surgical precision, began to dominate, threading passes to Siakam and Myles Turner for easy buckets. The Pacers’ transition game overwhelmed New York, who struggled to set their halfcourt defense against Indiana’s relentless pace. By the end of the third, Indiana led 100-91, with the Knicks unable to slow the Pacers’ 51.8% field goal shooting.

New York’s offense, while potent, lacked rhythm. Again… Brunson, battling foul trouble throughout the series, was forced to sit for stretches(!!!), disrupting the Knicks’ flow. The team’s reliance on isolation plays from Brunson and Towns contrasted sharply with Indiana’s fluid, team-oriented attack, exposing a gap in offensive cohesion. Additionally, the Knicks’ bench, a consistent weak point this postseason, failed to provide the spark needed to close the gap.

The final frame belonged to Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered another historic performance: 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds without a single turnover. His ability to dictate the game’s tempo, whether through pull-up threes or no look passes, left the Knicks scrambling. Pascal Siakam complemented Haliburton with 30 points, attacking New York’s interior defense, while Bennedict Mathurin added 20 off the bench, exploiting second-unit mismatches.

For the Knicks, Towns continued to shine, finishing with a strong performance despite earlier struggles in the series. His 20-point fourth quarter in Game 3 had kept New York alive, but “after all that”, the Pacers’ defensive adjustments doubling Towns in the post and forcing him to pass out; limited his impact. Brunson fought valiantly, but his 23 points were overshadowed by Indiana’s balanced attack and New York’s inability to get stops. The Knicks’ defense, a strength in the regular season, crumbled under Indiana’s 50/40 shooting splits, allowing 130 points—a mark New York simply couldn’t match.

The Pacers’ victory was a testament to their depth and pace, with seven players averaging double figures this postseason. Haliburton’s emergence as a playoff superstar has tilted the series in Indiana’s favor, and their ability to run after made baskets has neutralized New York’s halfcourt-oriented style. The Knicks, meanwhile, face a critical juncture. Their defensive lapses, particularly in transition and pick-and-roll coverage, have been exploited repeatedly. The insertion of Mitchell Robinson as a rim protector hasn’t yielded the desired effect, as Indiana’s shooters have stretched New York’s defense thin.

For Game 5 in New York, the Knicks must address their second-half collapses and find ways to disrupt Haliburton’s rhythm. Doubling him early and forcing secondary playmakers like T.J. McConnell or Andrew Nembhard to create could slow Indiana’s offense. Offensively, New York needs more from its supporting cast Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby must step up to alleviate pressure on Brunson and Towns. The Pacers, one win from their first NBA Finals since 2000, will look to maintain their aggressive tempo and capitalize on home-court advantage if the series extends.

This Game 4 loss puts the Knicks on the brink, trailing 3-1 in a series where no NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit. Indiana’s blend of speed, shooting, and star power has them poised to close out, but New York’s resilience and Brunson’s clutch gene make Game 5 a must-watch showdown.