In an electrifying playoff showdown, the Indiana Pacers seized a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals by defeating the New York Knicks 114-109 on May 23, 2025. Pascal Siakam shone brightly, scoring a playoff career-high 39 points, propelling the Pacers to a 2-0 series advantage.
- Pascal Siakam scores playoff career-high 39 points.
- Pacers lead Eastern Conference finals 2-0.
- Knicks struggle with scoring in fourth quarter.
- Historical context: Pacers 9-0 up 2-0.
- Game 3 scheduled in Indiana on Sunday.
- Defensive performance improved for Knicks.
Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton contributed significantly, adding 16 and 14 points, respectively. The Pacers now return home, aiming for their second trip to the NBA Finals since 2000. Can they maintain their momentum in Game 3?
This matchup raises an intriguing question: can the Knicks bounce back from this deficit? After a strong defensive showing, they struggled offensively in crucial moments. Key developments include:
- Siakam’s dominant scoring performance, finishing 15-for-23 from the field.
- The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scored 36 points but fell short in the fourth quarter.
- Indiana’s impressive record of 9-0 when leading 2-0 in a series.
- New York’s historical struggles, now 0-14 when trailing 2-0 in playoff series.
As the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3 on Sunday, fans are eager to see if the Knicks can turn the tide or if the Pacers will continue their playoff dominance.