At the Buzzer: R2G1 — Knicks 121, Pacers 117
Led by a 21-point fourth quarter from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks outscored the Pacers 17-8 over the final 4:04 to take a 1-0 series lead. The game featured four challenges.
This second-round series is the war of attrition. The Knicks have a tight rotation, leaning heavily on their starters, while the Pacers take pride in their depth and any guy being able to step up. In the playoffs, though, stars win out.
So which will give out first: Pacers’ bodies from the physicality or the Knicks’ legs from running?
The game officials were Zach Zarba, Tyler Ford, Sean Wright, Ray Acosta (alternate).
The Knicks are without Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic — both due to season-ending surgery.
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🏀How it happened: Jalen Brunson helped get the Knicks started, accounting for 10 of their first 12 points. The Pacers’ bench came in and gave them a big lift, especially T.J. McConnell. He was their only double-figure scorer by halftime (10) and finished the game with 18 points off the bench.
For his rim-running, rebounding and rim protection, Isaiah Jackson got the backup center minutes behind Myles Turner and played well. He had a quick six points, four rebounds and a block in a seven-minute burst playing instead of Jalen Smith, who has seen limited playoff action. Fouls started to become a concern before halftime as both Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith — the top two defenders — picked up three points.
In such a tight game, consider how Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein made just his second 3-pointer of the season — heaving one from 46 feet and hitting. So instead of being up by nine, the Pacers’ lead was six (55-49).