The Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks were expected to be an exciting and contentious battle between the two old rivals. But so far, it has been a one-sided dud, as the Pacers have snatched the first two games at Madison Square Garden from the Knicks.
They overcame a double-digit deficit with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and forced overtime on Tyrese Haliburton's miracle shot that bounced high off the rim and dropped through the net. They then established a 2-0 series lead with a 114-109 win in Game 2 on Friday that gave fans throughout the Tri-state area hypertension.
On their official X account, the Pacers flexed a bit.
This is Indiana's second straight trip to the Eastern Conference finals. As was the case last year, the team was good but not overly impressive during the regular season, but the playoffs have been a different story.
After getting past the aging and hobbled Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, it took on a Cleveland Cavaliers squad that finished first in the East with a 64-18 record. But thanks to some heroics by Haliburton, it took the first two games in Northeast Ohio and closed out the series in five games.
Tyrese Haliburton
May 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) defends Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) on a follow through for a game-winning three-point basket in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
© David Richard-Imagn Images
New York's defense has faltered late in the first two games of the East finals, and some feel the Pacers' superior depth, as well as their relentless running game, has simply worn New York down.
This series will now shift to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana for the next two games as the Indy 500 takes place. One more win in those next two contests will put the Knicks on life support while putting the Pacers on the verge of an NBA Finals bid.