The Knicks faced a heart-wrenching 138-135 defeat against the Pacers in Game 1 on Wednesday night, and a controversial call added to the drama.
It felt reminiscent of 1994, with the Knicks watching their lead evaporate in the tense closing moments of the fourth quarter. New York clung to a five-point cushion with just 30 seconds to go, but then an elusive foul call shifted the momentum.
Initially, a foul was called on Pascal Siakam of the Pacers against OG Anunoby of the Knicks. However, officials later decided there was loose contact as Indiana attempted a play, which allowed the Pacers to regain possession.
During the TNT broadcast, the replay seemed to show that Anunoby’s turnover could have warranted a foul. Analyst Stan Van Gundy concluded that the contact was significant, yet the lack of clear evidence for overturning the play became apparent.
Meanwhile, Knicks fans quickly began to dread what was unfolding. Aaron Nesmith, who energized the Pacers’ comeback in the fourth quarter, hit a clutch three-pointer, narrowing the gap to just two points.
Then, Tyrese Haliburton came through with a buzzer-beater moments later, confidently believing he had sealed the game for the Pacers.
As overtime progressed, both teams exchanged baskets, but ultimately, the Pacers captured the victory.
“You can’t take your guard down with them,” a player remarked. “Even when you think you have a lead, it’s not a secure one.”
Insights from the Knicks’ playoff journey
The Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. Last season, the Pacers had sent them packing from the playoffs, so this victory was significant—even if Pacers coach Rick Carlisle remained cautious.
“This is just the start of a long series,” he noted, acknowledging the resilience of both teams. “We managed to push through to overtime and executed when it mattered, but we’ve got to maintain our focus—Game 2 will be just as tough.”
