The Indiana Pacers are on the verge of their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years after defeating the New York Knicks 130-121 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Playing on their home court in Indianapolis, the Pacers now lead the series 3-1 and need just one more win to secure their spot in the championship series.
The Pacers' victory was fueled by an outstanding performance from Tyrese Haliburton, who recorded a dominant triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds. Haliburton's stellar performance also included four steals and zero turnovers, making him only the second player in NBA history to achieve a 30-point triple-double without a single turnover. Furthermore, his 12 rebounds marked a career-high, and he became the first Pacer to record multiple playoff triple-doubles. Pascal Siakam also contributed significantly with 30 points, while Bennedict Mathurin added 20 points off the bench in just 12 minutes.
Despite the Pacers' strong performance, the Knicks put up a fight, nearly erasing a 15-point deficit in the final quarter. They managed to close the gap to six points, prompting a Pacers timeout with just over three minutes remaining. However, Indiana regained their composure and held off the Knicks' rally to secure the win.
The Knicks were led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 24 points and 12 rebounds despite struggling with foul trouble and a late-game limp. The Knicks' undoing was their high turnover count, with 17 compared to the Pacers' 11. This sloppiness allowed the Pacers to dominate fast-break points, particularly in the first three quarters.
Now, the Knicks face a significant challenge, as history is against them. Only two teams in NBA history, the 1968 and 1981 Boston Celtics, have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the Eastern Conference Finals.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will aim to close out the series in New York, while the Knicks will fight to keep their season alive and force a Game 6 back in Indiana. With Haliburton's outstanding performance and the Pacers' determination, they are in a prime position to reach the NBA Finals. However, the Knicks, led by Brunson and Towns, will undoubtedly give it their all to overcome the odds and extend the series.
