Pacers Pull Off Historic Comeback to Stun Knicks in Game 1 Overtime Thriller
NEW YORK — With under three minutes left in regulation, the Knicks held a commanding 14-point lead and Madison Square Garden was in full celebration mode. But the Indiana Pacers had other plans.
Led by Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith, the Pacers stormed back to defeat the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime, stealing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in shocking fashion.
“Give them a lot of credit, they closed the game out like they’ve been doing all playoffs,” Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who finished with 43 points, said postgame. “Just not really good on our part.”
Late-Game Heroics Spark Historic Win
With Indiana down 14 and just 2:50 left in regulation, Nesmith ignited the comeback with a flurry of five three-pointers, cutting into New York’s presumed safe lead.
Then, with time expiring and Indiana trailing by two, Haliburton hit a dramatic, high-bouncing jumper at the buzzer to send the game to overtime — initially thought to be a game-winning three. The shot was later ruled a two-pointer after review, but the momentum stayed with the Pacers.
In overtime, Indiana never trailed again.
Haliburton tallied 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith finished with 30 points, going 8-of-9 from three-point range.
Channeling Reggie Miller: Haliburton’s Choke Gesture
After hitting the clutch buzzer-beater, Haliburton turned to the crowd and made a choke gesture, mirroring the infamous move Pacers legend Reggie Miller made to Knicks superfan Spike Lee during the 1994 playoffs.
“It felt right at the time,” Haliburton said postgame. “If I would’ve known it was a two, I would not have done it. I might have wasted it. If I do it again, people might say I’m aura-farming.”
Indiana coach Rick Carlisle downplayed the gesture: “It’s an emotional thing, it’s not a big deal.”
Indiana Makes Playoff History – Again
The Pacers’ comeback is one of the most improbable in modern playoff history. According to the team:
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They are the first team in 27 postseasons to win after being down 14 with under three minutes left in regulation.
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Of 1,706 playoff games since 1996-97, only four teams have come back from a seven-point deficit in the final 50 seconds — Indiana accounts for three of those this postseason.
Previous comebacks occurred against the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers in earlier rounds.
Knicks Look to Regroup for Game 2
Despite the loss, Karl-Anthony Towns (35 points, 12 rebounds) and the Knicks remain confident.
“We’re not here to repeat history, we’re here to make history,” Towns said.
New York will aim to even the series Friday night at home in Game 2.
