The New York Knicks were cruising. Up 14 points with under three minutes to play, it looked like Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was locked in. But the Indiana Pacers had other plans—and what followed was one of the most stunning playoff finishes in recent memory.
Aaron Nesmith went absolutely ballistic, drilling five three-pointers in a furious run where the Pacers hit six straight from beyond the arc. Just when it seemed like Indiana might run out of time, Tyrese Haliburton launched a shot at the buzzer—one that initially sent Pacers fans into a frenzy. He even broke out Reggie Miller’s iconic “choke” gesture for good measure.
But the replay told a different story: his foot was on the line. Two points, not three. Overtime.
Even that couldn’t derail Indiana’s momentum. With big buckets from Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin, the Pacers edged out the Knicks 138–135 in an overtime thriller.
Haliburton Leads the Way, Nesmith Catches Fire
Tyrese Haliburton was sensational with 31 points and 11 assists, showing the poise and creativity that have made him one of the league’s brightest young stars. But Aaron Nesmith was the real X-factor, finishing with 30 points and hitting 8 of his 9 shots from deep. His fourth-quarter shooting spree turned the game upside down.
Jalen Brunson was equally brilliant for the Knicks, scoring 43 points and doing everything he could to hold off the storm. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 35 points of his own, but it wasn’t enough to stop Indiana’s late explosion.
This was the Pacers’ fourth playoff comeback this year from a deficit of 15 or more points. And if this Game 1 drama is any indication, we’re in for a wild series.
Game 2 tips off Friday in New York. Don’t blink.
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