Pacers Shock Knicks with Historic Comeback in OT Thriller: Game 1 Recap
The Pacers erased a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes of regulation to stun the Knicks 138–135 in overtime and steal Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Tyrese Haliburton hit the buzzer-beater to force OT, a wild shot that looked like a game-winning three before replay confirmed his toe was on the line. It was ruled a two-pointer, tying the game at 125 and capping a furious Indiana rally sparked by Aaron Nesmith’s 3-point barrage.
Haliburton finished with 31 points and 11 assists. Nesmith added 30 and knocked down eight of nine from beyond the arc, including two massive triples late in the fourth to close the gap. Andrew Nembhard delivered the go-ahead bucket in OT with 26 seconds left.
Jalen Brunson poured in 43 points for New York while Karl-Anthony Towns posted 35 points and 12 boards. But the Knicks collapsed down the stretch, unable to hold a lead that had been 14 with under three minutes remaining.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, teams leading by 14 or more in the final 2:45 of regulation were previously 994–0 in the modern stat-tracking era.
Now they’re 994–1.
Indiana’s reputation for late-game chaos continues. They rallied from seven down with under a minute left to beat Milwaukee in the first round, then did the same to Cleveland in the second. On Wednesday, they just upped the degree of difficulty.
Game 2 tips off Friday night in New York.
