Madison Square Garden was on fire. Not literally, but the electricity in the air on May 22, 2025, felt close enough. Fans roared. Celebrities lined the front rows. And the Knicks looked like they had Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in the bag. They were up by 14 points with under three minutes left on the clock. The chants had already started.
But then the unthinkable happened.
Indiana didn’t blink. They stormed back—slowly, methodically—until Tyrese Haliburton launched a jumper at the buzzer that danced on the rim before falling in. Overtime. Chaos. And then heartbreak for New York as the Pacers walked away with a 138-135 win.
Jalen Brunson was sensational, dropping 43 points and carrying the Knicks late. But Haliburton’s late-game heroics, supported by a deep Pacers bench, proved too much.
This matchup gave us one of the wildest NBA playoff moments, and in this post, we’ll break down the full Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats. From every big shot to every turnover, we’ll dive deep into how Game 1 slipped away from New York — and what it means going forward.
No fluff. Just raw, emotional basketball breakdowns.
Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats – Full Box Score Analysis
Game 1 between the Knicks and Pacers wasn’t just wild — it was stat-stuffed madness. The final numbers reveal just how evenly matched (and yet wildly different) these teams played.
New York shot better from the field overall (51.1%), pulled down more rebounds (46–39), and outscored Indiana in the paint. But turnovers? That’s where it all fell apart. The Knicks committed 15 costly ones compared to Indiana’s 7. That, and some clutch buckets from Tyrese Haliburton, flipped everything late.
Let’s look closer at the Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats with a detailed player-by-player breakdown.
🟦 New York Knicks – Full Box Score
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3P | FT | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 45 | 43 | 4 | 6 | 15/25 | 1/4 | 12/14 | 5 | +8 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 42 | 35 | 12 | 4 | 13/20 | 3/6 | 6/8 | 3 | +5 |
| Mikal Bridges | 38 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 9/15 | 4/6 | 0/0 | 2 | +2 |
| OG Anunoby | 36 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 4/10 | 2/5 | 0/0 | 1 | -3 |
| Josh Hart | 34 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 3/7 | 1/2 | 1/1 | 2 | -1 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 20 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 3/4 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | +4 |
| Miles McBride | 18 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2/5 | 1/3 | 0/0 | 1 | +1 |
🟨 Indiana Pacers – Full Box Score
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG | 3P | FT | TO | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton | 42 | 31 | 4 | 11 | 12/23 | 4/12 | 3/4 | 2 | +15 |
| Aaron Nesmith | 39 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 9/13 | 8/9 | 4/4 | 1 | +12 |
| Myles Turner | 38 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 11/17 | 3/5 | 3/4 | 2 | +10 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 35 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 7/15 | 3/7 | 1/2 | 3 | +5 |
| Buddy Hield | 32 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 5/11 | 4/8 | 0/0 | 2 | +3 |
| Chris Duarte | 25 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6/10 | 2/6 | – | 1 | +4 |
| Myles Johnson | 15 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2/4 | 0/1 | 1/2 | 0 | +1 |
Despite the loss, the Knicks had multiple players step up — but those final three minutes, and the overtime, proved that cleaner execution and fewer turnovers can flip a playoff game in seconds. Indiana just stayed cooler under pressure.
Top Performers: Brunson vs Haliburton Duel
Jalen Brunson put on a scoring clinic with 43 points, shooting 15/25 from the field and draining 12/14 from the free-throw line. His aggressive drives and smart late-game decisions kept the Knicks alive in overtime.
Tyrese Haliburton’s 31 points came with impressive efficiency — 12/23 FG and clutch plays, including the game-tying buzzer-beater that sent the match to overtime. His 11 assists balanced scoring with playmaking, and his 2 turnovers showed smart ball control.
| Player | PTS | FG | FT | AST | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | 43 | 15/25 | 12/14 | 6 | 4 |
| Tyrese Haliburton | 31 | 12/23 | 3/4 | 11 | 2 |
Supporting Cast Impact
The Knicks really counted on Josh Hart’s energy — he grabbed some clutch rebounds and knocked down a few key shots when it mattered. Meanwhile, Donte DiVincenzo put in the work on defense, making things tough for the Pacers’ offense. On Indiana’s side, Aaron Nesmith was knocking down threes like crazy, hitting 8 of 9 from beyond the arc, which really stretched the Knicks’ defense. And Pascal Siakam wasn’t messing around inside, owning the paint with his presence.
These guys might not always get the spotlight, but in overtime, especially, their efforts kept the game swinging back and forth.
| Player | +/- Impact | Clutch Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Hart (NYK) | +8 | 7 |
| Donte DiVincenzo (NYK) | +6 | 6 |
| Aaron Nesmith (IND) | +12 | 8 |
| Pascal Siakam (IND) | +10 | 5 |
Their energy and clutch performances made this nail-biter a classic Game 1 playoff thriller.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse & Overtime Breakdown
The Knicks had things under control, leading by 14 points with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter. But then everything started falling apart. It wasn’t just one thing — a few bad plays added up.
First, their defense stopped being sharp. They let the Pacers get open shots way too easily. On top of that, the Knicks kept turning the ball over — six times in those last few minutes, which is way too many when you’re trying to hold a lead. Meanwhile, Indiana barely made mistakes, with only one turnover.
Then there was that crazy buzzer-beater by Haliburton. It bounced around the rim forever before dropping in, tying the game and sending it to overtime. After that, Indiana just took control. They came out strong in the extra period, with Nesmith hitting some big shots and clutch free throws that put the Knicks away.
In the end, New York just couldn’t keep their composure down the stretch, and the Pacers took full advantage.
| Team | Turnovers (4Q) | Turnovers (OT) | FG% (4Q) | FG% (OT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 6 | 2 | 35% | 40% |
| Indiana Pacers | 1 | 3 | 45% | 52% |
Tactical Breakdown: How Indiana Stole Game 1
Rick Carlisle showed why he’s one of the smartest coaches in the league. His game plan was on point, especially down the stretch.
Indiana really took advantage of the Knicks’ defensive weaknesses by running pick-and-rolls over and over. They targeted the Knicks’ less reliable defenders and created open shots or mismatches that caused serious trouble.
In the final minutes, they locked down Jalen Brunson pretty well, forcing him into tough shots and limiting his usual impact. That defensive pressure helped swing momentum.
On the other side, the Knicks’ offense felt a bit stuck in overtime. Instead of making quick, creative plays, their sets looked predictable and slow, giving the Pacers plenty of time to get back into position.
Overall, Carlisle’s adjustments and smart use of pick-and-rolls made the difference in a game that looked like New York had it in the bag.
| Quarter | Points |
|---|---|
| Q1 | 31 |
| Q2 | 28 |
| Q3 | 34 |
| Q4 | 27 |
| OT | 18 |
NBA Playoff Context – What This Win Means
The Pacers taking Game 1 on the road is a huge momentum boost for them. Now they lead the series 1-0, which gives them a real psychological edge heading back to Indiana. Winning at Madison Square Garden isn’t easy, and Indiana showed they can handle the pressure.
For the Knicks, the loss puts a lot of weight on their shoulders. The expectations from the home crowd and media will crank up, and they need to respond fast. Road wins like this one are golden in playoff basketball because they shift the balance early.
Looking ahead, this series could play a big part in the story of the Eastern Conference Finals. Both teams fought hard all season, and this victory gives the Pacers a chance to build confidence for the tough road ahead.
Standings Recap & Season Records
This season has been a neck-and-neck battle between the Central and Atlantic divisions. The Pacers finished with a solid 50–32 record, just behind the Knicks, who ended at 51–31.
It shows how tightly matched these teams were, which made every game count and set the stage for this intense playoff series.
Central & Atlantic Division Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks (Atlantic) | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | W2 |
| Boston Celtics (Atlantic) | 49 | 33 | .598 | 2 | L1 |
| Indiana Pacers (Central) | 50 | 32 | .610 | – | W3 |
| Milwaukee Bucks (Central) | 47 | 35 | .573 | 3 | L2 |
Game Information & Attendance
| Location | Date | Attendance | Tip-off Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Square Garden, New York, NY | May 22, 2025 | 19,812 | 5:00 AM ET |
What’s Next: Game 2 Predictions & Adjustments
After such a wild first game, both teams have some serious homework to do. For the Knicks, fixing those late-game mistakes is huge. Blowing a 14-point lead like that just can’t happen again. They need to keep the ball safer and make smarter choices when it counts. Those turnovers in crunch time were killers.
As for the Pacers, keeping Haliburton hot is priority one. He’s their go-to guy, especially in clutch moments. New York will try to slow him down, so Indiana’s got to find ways to get him good looks early. Also, they need to shore up their defense early on – letting the Knicks get easy baskets is a quick way to lose momentum.
This series feels like a battle of adjustments. Both squads are hungry and pretty evenly matched, so whoever figures out these little details better might take the upper hand. Game 2 is shaping up to be a must-watch — and if you’ve been tracking New York closely, the Knicks vs Boston Celtics match player stats from their previous series give a great preview of how they handle high-pressure playoff moments.
Statement Game That Changed the Tone
Game 1 was everything you want from playoff basketball — full of heart, hustle, and drama. The emotional swings were wild: the Knicks looked like they had it wrapped up, then the Pacers fought back with guts and grit. The Knicks vs Pacers match player stats tell a story beyond just numbers — they show who stepped up when it mattered most and who needs to regroup.
This opener sets the tone for a fierce series, and if Game 1 is any indication, Game 2 will be just as intense. You don’t want to miss it.
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Henry Philip is the Lead Publisher at vcemagazine.com, where he helps drive the site’s mission to deliver sharp, detailed sports statistics and in-depth analysis. With a strong background in research, Henry has a knack for diving deep into data across a wide range of matches and sporting events, making sure every piece is packed with meaningful insights and accuracy.
Before joining the team, he built his experience at several local platforms, where he honed his skills in sports reporting and data analysis. Now, at vcemagazine.com, he’s fully focused on producing the kind of high-quality, comprehensive stats-driven content that serious fans and analysts rely on. Henry’s work is all about precision, authenticity, and delivering the facts — and he takes pride in getting it right.