Knicks Face Setback Against Pacers in Eastern Conference Final

Disappointment Lingers in New York

New York Knicks fans have endured a tense wait of 25 years to see their team advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, only to face heartbreak in the initial games of the series against the Indiana Pacers. Following a devastating loss in Game 1, the Knicks fell again, 114-109, in a nail-biter at Madison Square Garden just 48 hours later.

Key Performances and Missed Opportunities

Jalen Brunson delivered an impressive performance, scoring 36 points and providing 11 assists. However, his miss on a three-point attempt in the closing seconds prevented a chance to pull even. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam shined for Indiana, leading his team with 39 points.

The New York Post highlighted the Knicks’ struggles, stating, “The Knicks have fallen into a pit of hell,” marking this as another painful defeat. It is notable that the Knicks have never won a playoff series after trailing 2-0.

Criticism from Former Players and Analysts

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce did not hold back in his criticism of the Knicks, suggesting that the team is living in an illusion. “I told you… you’re living in a fantasy. Maybe next year, or maybe never,” he quipped. Earlier in the playoffs, Pierce had dismissed the Knicks after they eliminated the Celtics.

Defensive Concerns and Player Critique

NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor specifically called out Karl-Anthony Towns for his defensive performance, noting that Towns was benched for most of the fourth quarter after finishing with 20 points but struggling with a -20 plus-minus rating in just 28 minutes. O’Connor commented, “Plus-minus doesn’t always tell the story, but in Towns’ case, it certainly did.”

Mikal Bridges reflected on the team’s difficulties, suggesting that the Knicks’ starting lineup possibly lacks defensive toughness, saying, “Maybe we are just too soft at the beginning.”

Moving Forward

As the series progresses, Brunson leads the team with an average of 39.5 points on 53.8% shooting and 8.0 assists in the first two games. He emphasized the need for readiness, stating, “This isn’t the regular season; we need to be prepared from the first second.”

With the Knicks facing a daunting challenge to overcome their 0-2 deficit, the pressure mounts as they prepare to fight back in what remains of the series