At the Buzzer: R3G1 — Pacers 138, Knicks 135 OT
Indiana outscored New York 20-6 in the final three minutes of regulation, forced overtime, and took Game 1 behind Aaron Nesmith’s 30-point outburst.
It had been more than a week since the Indiana Pacers last played.
They finished off the Cavaliers in five games back on May 13 and used the extended break to rest, recover, and prepare for what’s next: a return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season.
And for the second straight postseason, it's a showdown with the New York Knicks. But both teams are healthier and rosters changed some — especially the Knicks, who retooled their core through offseason trades. So forget last year’s bruising series. This one promises to be a chess match filled with intensity and adjustments, a dogfight from the jump. First to four earns a trip to the NBA Finals.
The game officials were Zach Zarba, Ben Taylor, Mitchell Ervin, and Brian Forte (alternate).
No injuries of note to start the series. 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 4.5 points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: The Knicks led by 14 points with under three minutes to play in regulation — and by nine with under one minute. It looked like Game 1 was theirs.
But this Pacers team has made a habit of rallying late. And once again, they delivered when the margin for error was microscopic.
Indiana trailed by 17 halfway through the fourth quarter. Then, after going scoreless during a 16-1 Knicks run while missing seven straight field goals, they made key adjustments during a timeout. Rick Carlisle went small, inserting Obi Toppin and Ben Sheppard for energy and defense.
Then came Aaron Nesmith.