At the Buzzer: R3G6 — Pacers 125, Knicks 108 | A Return to the NBA Finals for Indiana
Indiana imposed their style of play and outworked New York in Game 6 to clinch the series and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time sine 2000. Pascal Siakam was voted conference finals MVP.
The Pacers had one of their worst shooting nights of the season in Game 5. The starters were held to 37 points (just one in double figures) on 13-of-39 shooting as Jalen Brunson kept the New York Knicks’ season alive with the win.
Entering Game 6, Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers tried to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time in nearly three months — since May 10.
The game officials were James Capers, Tony Brothers, Tyler Ford, and Curtis Blair (alternate).
Pacers starting forward Aaron Nesmith (right ankle) felt better after responding well to treatment, I’m told. He was no longer on the injury report after being limited to 16 game minutes on Thursday. Backup center Tony Bradley, who has played about 10 minutes per game this year, was questionable due to a left hip flexor strain suffered in the third quarter of Game 5.
The TNT announcing crew — for the entire series: Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Stan Van Gundy, and Allie LaForce. It’s Reggie’s 15th conference finals.
Sports books favored the Pacers by four points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: The Pacers are used to be counted out. They’re used to not be given a chance. That’s fine by them. They saw the door and they stomped it down, defeating the New York Knicks in six games.
Almost 25 years to the date, when they last clinched a spot in the most important series in basketball, the Pacers are headed back to the NBA Finals. Last time, they did it by beating the Knicks in their building. Also in a Game 6.
This time, however, the Pacers finished them off in front of a sellout crowd (17,274) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
They did it by imposing first their will, then their style of play.
The Pacers didn’t leave it to chance or to the final minutes. They left no doubt, outscoring the Knicks in all four quarters in what was a 125-108 Game 6 victory.
They jumped all over the Knicks from almost the beginning, using a 11-2 run to counter a 9-4 Knicks start. And they did it by draining three 3-pointer on four possessions.
The Pacers shot 54% for the game, including 52% from distance, as they outscored the Knicks 1) by 21 points beyond the arc, 2) by 15 points in transition, and 3) by scoring 34 points off 18 Knicks turnovers.
It was a smothering performance by the Pacers, who challenged the Knicks all game long. First, it was Nesmith on Brunson. But they quickly switched and put Andrew Nembhard on him most of the game. And he was phenomenal. Nembhard is a big-time competitor who rises to the moment.