Knicks Rally from 20 Down, Beat Pacers in Game 3 Thriller/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Knicks erased a 20-point deficit to defeat the Pacers 106-100 in Game 3. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson added 23 points despite foul trouble, cutting the series to 2-1.
Knicks-Pacers Game 3 Quick Looks
- Massive Comeback: Knicks overcome 20-point hole on the road
- Towns Delivers Late: 20 of 24 points came in the final quarter
- Brunson’s Impact: 23 points despite five fouls through three quarters
- Series Outlook: Pacers lead 2-1 with Game 4 on Tuesday in Indianapolis
- Pacers Collapse: Indiana blew a 16-point third-quarter lead
- Injuries & Impact: Aaron Nesmith returns late after ankle scare
Deep Look: Towns, Knicks Roar Back to Life in Game 3 Thriller
The New York Knicks proved Sunday night they aren’t going quietly. Down 20 points on the road, with their star guard in foul trouble and the series slipping away, the Knicks mounted a dramatic rally to win 106-100 over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Towns Takes Charge
Karl-Anthony Towns, playing through a sore knee, erupted in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 of his 24 points as New York clawed back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. With Jalen Brunson benched with five fouls, Towns took command, hitting a three-pointer to open the fourth and powering inside for consecutive layups that sliced Indiana’s lead to just three.
“It’s a true test when you’re down 20-plus,” Towns said. “We had to have that never-say-die attitude.”
His dominance didn’t end with scoring. Towns added 15 rebounds and anchored the Knicks’ defense during the critical final stretch.
Brunson Returns to Seal It
After watching most of the second half from the bench due to foul trouble, Jalen Brunson returned in the fourth to help New York close the door. His driving layup with 7:10 left gave the Knicks their first lead since early in the game, 89-88 — and they never trailed again. Brunson finished with 23 points.
Series Swings Back to New York
Despite losing Games 1 and 2 in New York, the Pacers couldn’t hold serve at home. Game 3 was the third straight win for the road team in this series. Game 4 is set for Tuesday night in Indianapolis, where the Knicks will try to tie the series 2-2.
“All of us are just trying to do whatever it takes to win,” said Towns. “We put ourselves in a position where we had a chance — and we took it.”
Pacers Falter on Indy 500 Day
Indiana looked poised to blow the game wide open with a 55-35 lead late in the first half, energized by a packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse and an appearance by Indy 500 winner Alex Palou. But the celebration turned to concern as the Knicks mounted their rally and Indiana lost key defender Aaron Nesmith to a sprained right ankle in the third quarter.
Though Nesmith returned, coach Rick Carlisle noted his status for Game 4 remains uncertain.
“We just didn’t execute as well as we needed to,” Carlisle said postgame. “Regardless of who’s out there, we’ve got to finish.”
What’s Next
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 28 in Indianapolis
- Health Watch: Nesmith’s ankle will be re-evaluated Monday
- Momentum Shift: Knicks outscored Pacers 34-18 in the fourth
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