The New York Knicks aren’t just fighting for a spot in the NBA Finals—they’re making history while they’re at it. In a gritty 106-100 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks erased a 20-point deficit to notch their third such comeback of the 2025 playoffs—something no other NBA team has ever done.
Karl-Anthony Towns took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 of his 24 points when it mattered most. With Jalen Brunson battling foul trouble, it was Towns who stepped up big-time, adding 15 rebounds and delivering a clutch three-pointer and a powerful dunk during the closing run.
“We’re built on chemistry and belief,” Brunson said after the win. “Even from the bench, I had full trust in my guys.”
Pacers Lose Grip After Indy 500 High
Sunday was supposed to be Indiana’s day. The Pacers took the floor hours after Spain’s Alex Palou won the Indy 500, and the energy inside the arena was electric. Decked out in “Vroom Baby” T-shirts, fans watched the home team jump out to a 20-point lead, capping off a 13-0 run with a Haliburton dunk that brought the house down.
But momentum didn’t last. Despite leading by 13 midway through the third, the Pacers couldn’t finish strong. The Knicks kept chipping away, cutting the lead to 10 by the end of the third and finally seizing the advantage midway through the fourth. Towns buried a 30-footer to put New York up for good, and Indiana never recovered.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 20 points and six assists, while Myles Turner added 19. The loss of Aaron Nesmith to an ankle sprain midway through the third didn’t help, but head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t want to hear excuses.
“We’ve come back from deficits ourselves,” Carlisle said. “This one just got away from us.”
History-Making Knicks Aren’t Done Yet
With the series now at 2-1, the Knicks have breathed new life into their Finals hopes. More impressively, they’ve now completed three separate 20-point comebacks this postseason—twice against the Celtics and now against Indiana.
Towns’ performance proved the Knicks are more than just Jalen Brunson’s team. And with Game 4 set for Tuesday night in Indianapolis, the pressure is suddenly on the Pacers to respond.
This Knicks squad has shown they don’t panic—even when down big. And if they keep pulling off miracles like this, they might just run all the way to the Finals.
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