Knicks Take Down Pacers in Game 3 Thriller, Seize Momentum in Eastern Conference Finals

Knicks Outlast Pacers in Tense Game 3 Showdown

The New York Knicks delivered a gutsy performance, edging out the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals. With the series shifting to Indianapolis and the home crowd buzzing, the Knicks faced relentless energy from both the Pacers and their fans. The game was tight from the opening tip, with neither side backing down and momentum shifting quarter by quarter.

New York’s starters came out hot, fueled by a swift offense and intense defensive effort. Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ floor general, orchestrated the offense with slick passes and timely buckets. He attacked the paint early, keeping Indiana’s defenders guessing all night. Josh Hart, playing through visible fatigue, dove for loose balls, grabbed tough rebounds, and nailed crucial threes when the Knicks needed a momentum boost.

But it wasn’t an easy ride. Indiana’s tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam constantly put pressure on New York’s defense. Haliburton, in particular, was electric in transition, pushing the pace every chance he got. The Pacers fed off their home crowd, going on scoring runs that rattled the Knicks and forced New York to burn timeouts to regroup.

One of the turning points came late in the third quarter, when the Knicks clamped down defensively. Donte DiVincenzo came up big with a key steal, leading to a fast break layup that swung the momentum back New York’s way. Mitchell Robinson anchored the middle, swatting away a would-be dunk by Myles Turner that brought the bench and traveling Knicks fans to their feet.

Crunch Time Heroics and New York’s Road Grit

The fourth quarter brought even more drama. With the game tied and the clock winding down, both teams traded baskets. For a stretch, it looked as though Indiana might reclaim control, but the Knicks refused to fold. Julius Randle, who had struggled with foul trouble earlier, came alive late, muscling his way to tough buckets and keeping the Knicks within striking distance.

With just under two minutes to play, Brunson sank a difficult step-back three to give New York a slim lead. The Pacers responded, but a clutch offensive rebound from Hart led to another bucket, stretching the lead. Indiana’s final attempts to erase the deficit fell short, with the Knicks’ perimeter defenders forcing contested jumpers as the clock ran down.

By the final buzzer, the Knicks had silenced the Indiana crowd and taken a crucial win on the road. The locker room buzzed with energy, the team well aware of how big this game was for their hopes to return to the NBA Finals. New York’s blend of physicality, clutch shooting, and all-out hustle made the difference, setting the stage for a high-stakes Game 4.

This victory didn’t just give the Knicks a lead in the series—it sent a message. After years of playoff disappointment, New York is showing it belongs among the league’s best. Their Knicks now sit just two wins away from the Finals and have the kind of momentum that’s tough to wrestle away in May.