At the Buzzer: R3G2 — Pacers 114, Knicks 109
Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 39 points — including 21 of their first 31 — to lead the Pacers to a Game 2 win in New York. They now return to Indy with a 2-0 series lead.
The Pacers were ecstatic after their Game 1 comeback win. But they’re not content. The message from the coaching staff before leaving for New York was to consider it as a 13-day stretch.
One day at a time.
They just took care of Day 1 — and did so in front an average of 6.6 million viewers on TNT, the most-watched conference finals opener since 2018. Now, what will they do on Day 3?
The game officials were James Capers, Marc Davis, Kevin Scott, and Brian Forte (alternate).
No injuries of note The only player on the injury report is Pacers center Isaiah Jackson, who is rehabbing from a torn right Achilles tendon.
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 Knicks by 6.5 points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: Forward Pascal Siakam was acquired at the trade deadline two years ago for two reasons: to help guide the team to the playoffs, then to carry them when needed. Check and check.
The Pacers returned to the postseason last year for the first time in four years and now back in the conference finals, Siakam shouldered the load Friday in a Game 2 win: 114-109. He scored the first 11 points, contributed 21 of the first 31, and outplayed everyone on the biggest stage in New York City.
After former Raptors Siakam and OG Anunoby combined for 16 of the first 17 points, then everyone else started to get involved. The Pacers only made one field goal over the final five minutes, so they trailed 26-24 after 1.
The second quarter also belonged to the Knicks. Third-string center Tony Bradley, who joined the team in March, started the quarter and played twice as many minutes as Thomas Bryant. He was needed to help battle with Knicks backup center Mitchell Robinson, who was strong on the boards. He had a game-high nine.
Coming off his big game-tying shot in Game 1, Tyrese Haliburton finally made his first basket with two minutes left in the half after missing his first five attempts. It wasn’t a great half by the Pacers, yet they were in a good spot, only trailing by three: 52-49.