Notebook: Pacers' Game 1 win over Knicks showcased coaching masterclass, star power, and community emotion
Rick Carlisle’s savvy decisions, Aaron Nesmith’s breakout performance, and a tribute to Jim Irsay helped define an unforgettable Eastern Conference Finals opener at Madison Square Garden.
Pacers fans are going to remember Game 1 against the Knicks for a long, long time.
It was a signature win — on the road, at the famed Mecca of basketball — a favorite venue for nearly every player. There was the 9-for-9 start, Aaron Nesmith’s 20-point fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton’s long two-pointer to send it to overtime, and then Andrew Nembhard’s spectacular extra period.
However, several coaching tactics by Rick Carlisle also proved decisive and shouldn’t be overlooked.
First, Carlisle nailed both of his challenges — a process that begins with coaching analytics manager Lauren James, then assistant coach Mike Weinar, before Carlisle makes the final decision.
Both challenges were successful and came at pivotal moments:
The first overturned a foul call on Pascal Siakam that would have sent OG Anunoby to the line with 29.9 seconds left and the Pacers trailing by five. Instead, Indiana got the ball and Nesmith hit a clutch three to cut the deficit to two.
The second came with 18.9 seconds left in overtime on an out-of-bounds call. Carlisle successfully challenged, and possession was awarded to Indiana — still up by three — because Jalen Brunson was last to touch it.
Carlisle also made a strategic switch that left fans wondering if Myles Turner was hurt. He wasn’t — but was supportive on the bench while playing just two minutes in the fourth quarter.
Instead, Carlisle turned to rookie Ben Sheppard for seven important minutes and gave Obi Toppin extended run down the stretch — a meaningful moment for the New York native who delivered several key buckets.
“I thought Shep came in and changed the game,” said T.J. McConnell. “… That's what your bench guys need to do when their numbers called come in and provide a spark and that's what those guys did.”
Carlisle struck the right chord postgame. “This is Day 1 of 13 days,” he began. Asked about Haliburton celebrating his game-tying shot with a choke sign toward Reggie Miller courtside, he offered the response of a coach who has been doing it at a high level for a long time.
He leaned into what helps make one of his players great rather than ridicule him publicly. "It’s an emotional thing. It’s not a big deal,” Carlisle said, brushing it off. “… Tyrese has earned the right to do whatever he wants.”
A playoff series is like chess — one move after the next. Anticipation helps, but certainty never exists. That’s why experience matters.
The same is true for Pascal Siakam.
“They have ultra-talented guys,” he said of the Knicks. “It’s a long series and we know that. We've got to focus one game at a time. And for me, I just try to tell the guys, stay level-headed and take it one game at a time.
“It's not going to be smooth. So we got to be ready for that, brace for anything that's coming and be ready. That’s the message.”
This franchise turnaround is possible because of Carlisle, who will be a Hall of Famer. He sets the tone at the top, he goes after the players he wants, and he’s created an environment for these players, mostly overlooked and unappreciated, to feel appreciated and thrive.
Like Nesmith, who had 30 points on 8-of-9 shooting from deep while defending at a high level on the wing.
“He literally does everything,” Siakam said, gushing with praise for his teammate. “And just selfless. He's tough, man. … Whatever we need from him, he’s doing that. I don't think we asked him for those 3s, but he knocked them down. That's for sure.”
True to form, Siakam remains even-keeled after games.
“Just wanting to bring whatever I can to the team for us to be successful,” he said.
That sounds like a role player, not the team’s lone All-Star and a former champion. But Siakam is a microcosm of what this team is about — we over me. Star in your role and exceed it as much as you can.
It’ll take three more wins to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 — when Carlisle was an assistant under Larry Bird.
“After an experience like (Game 1), you've got to be able to wipe it, move on, and get ready for the next battle,” said Carlisle. “These are all going to be epic battles. They're going to be physical, there's going to be a lot going on, and we're going to have to be ready.”
❌ Two Calls Missed Against Pacers
The officiating crew had two incorrect calls in crunch time, according to the NBA's Last Two Minute Report. Both were disadvantageous to the Pacers.
With 1:57 to go, Karl-Anthony Towns should've been called for a foul on Aaron Nesmith's shot attempt. “Towns (NYK) puts a hand on Nesmith's (IND) shoulder as he jumps to contest and the illegal contact affects Nesmith's shot attempt.”
With 15.6 seconds left in overtime, Mikal Bridges fouled Obi Toppin when he completed a dunk attempt. “Bridges (NYK) lowers his arm across Toppin's (IND) arm during the dunk attempt and the contact is more than marginal.”
The report is for the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. Myles Turner’s block — which may have been goaltending — came outside that window, with 2:53 left in extra time.
🍿 Big Ratings for Game 1
Overnight ratings provided a favorable report for the series. Game 1 of Pacers-Knicks averaged 6.6 millions viewers, the most-watched Eastern Conference Finals opener since 2018, per Nielsen.
In comparison: Game 1 of Thunder-Timberwolves averaged 5.36 million viewers on ESPN, the least-watched conference finals opener since 2021.