Siakam Shines as Pacers Top Knicks 114-109 in Game 2/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pascal Siakam dropped a playoff-best 39 points as the Indiana Pacers edged the New York Knicks 114-109 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Indiana now leads the series 2-0 and returns home for Game 3 on Sunday. Despite a late surge, the Knicks couldn’t overcome a cold start to the fourth quarter.
Pacers Push Knicks to the Brink With Game 2 Win + Quick Looks
- Pascal Siakam scores 39 points, a career playoff high.
- Pacers defeat Knicks 114-109 to take commanding 2-0 series lead.
- Indiana has now won six straight road playoff games.
- Game 3 returns to Indiana on Sunday — the same day as the Indy 500.
- Tyrese Haliburton contributes 14 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds.
- Jalen Brunson drops 36 points and 11 assists, but Knicks fall short.
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges add 20 points each for New York.
- New York’s late rally falls short, now in a must-win scenario.
Siakam Shines as Pacers Top Knicks 114-109 in Game 2
Deep Look
NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers are rolling, and Pascal Siakam is leading the charge.
In a raucous Madison Square Garden on Friday night, Siakam poured in 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting, powering Indiana to a 114-109 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers now lead the series 2-0 and return home with a golden opportunity to put the series out of reach.
“We have a long way to go, and it’s only going to get tougher,” Siakam said postgame, keeping the focus forward.
Game 3 will tip off Sunday evening in Indianapolis, just hours after the Indy 500, creating what could be a legendary day for Indiana sports.
Road Warriors: Pacers Excel Away From Home
The win was Indiana’s sixth straight road victory in these playoffs, dating back to their first-round series against Milwaukee. Though the Pacers have yet to make a serious Finals run since their lone appearance in 2000, this team looks different — and dangerous.
Coach Rick Carlisle praised Siakam’s dominance and impact in clutch moments.
“Special game,” said Carlisle. “In the first half, he was the guy who got us going and got us through tough stretches.”
Knicks Show Fight, But Fall Again
Jalen Brunson tried to carry the Knicks, finishing with 36 points and 11 assists, but his fourth-quarter scoring couldn’t erase an early deficit. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 20 points, but Towns saw limited minutes due to defensive concerns. Backup center Mitchell Robinson played extended time, grabbing nine rebounds and offering rim protection.
“Going into the fourth, it’s a tie ballgame. We’ve just got to make better plays,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “More winning plays.”
Down 0-2 with two road games looming, New York faces a tall task: no team has ever come back from losing the first two games at home in the conference finals.
How It Happened: Siakam’s Surge, Knicks’ Late Rally
The game was tied at 81 heading into the fourth quarter, but Indiana took control with a 13-4 run, capped by Siakam’s three-pointer to make it 94-85 with 9:17 left.
Siakam struck again with a crucial mid-range shot to extend the lead to 110-100 with just under three minutes remaining.
New York stormed back with a 9-0 run, capped by Josh Hart’s layup to make it 110-109 with 14 seconds left. But Aaron Nesmith calmly hit two free throws, and a Brunson missed three sealed it for Indiana. Myles Turner added two more from the line to close it out.
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