Playoff Game #3 Pacers vs Knicks

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Game Preview


After a pair of games at Madison Square Garden, the Eastern Conference Finals shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, the nightcap of a memorable sports day in Indianapolis. Hours after the completion of 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, the Pacers will host the New York Knicks with a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.

The Blue & Gold won both games in New York, the first a dramatic come-from-behind overtime victory, while the second had less drama but was just as satisfying for Pacers fans. Indiana used a 13-4 run to open the fourth quarter to surge ahead in Game 2 on Friday night and held on for a 114-109 victory.

PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Follow Indiana's Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>

Pascal Siakam played a starring role in Game 2, going off for a playoff career-high 39 points. Siakam carried Indiana in the first half, scoring the Pacers' first 11 points and 16 in the first quarter and had 23 by halftime. He joins Reggie Miller and Paul George as the only players in franchise history to score 35 or more points in at least three playoff games.

The Pacers have proven to be road warriors during this playoff run, winning six straight postseason contests in enemy territory, the longest playoff road winning streak in franchise history.

The Knicks, however, have been nearly as formidable on the road. New York is 5-1 away from Madison Square Garden this postseason, having swept three games at Detroit in the first road and winning their first two on the road in Boston in the conference semifinals.

Indiana is now just two wins away from a conference title and just the second trip to the NBA Finals in franchise history. But the Pacers know the job is not yet finished.

"There are a lot of traps here," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 2. "You can not assume going home is going to be easier. It never is. Each game as you ascend in a playoff series is harder. And New York’s got an amazing fighting spirit, so we’re going to have to focus on our process." Probable Staters


Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner

Knicks: G - Jalen Brunson, G - Mikal Bridges, F - Josh Hart, F - OG Anunoby, C - Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Report


Pacers: Isaiah Jackson - out (torn right Achilles tendon)

Knicks: None Last Meeting


May 23, 2025: The Pacers surged ahead in the fourth quarter and held on for a 114-109 win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The score was knotted at 81 entering the final frame, but the Pacers opened the quarter with a 13-4 run and never relinquished the lead again.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with a career-high 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting. Myles Turner scored 13 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 36 points and 11 assists in the loss, going 13-for-27 from the field, including 5-for-12 from 3-point range. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 20 points and seven rebounds for New York. Noteworthy

• The Pacers announced on Friday that Game 3 will be a "Gold Out," with all fans in attendance receiving a "Pacers & Racers" themed gold t-shirt.
• The Pacers are 9-0 in best-of-seven series where they win the first two games. The Knicks are 0-14 in series where they fall behind 0-2.
• This is the ninth time Indiana and New York have met in the postseason. The Pacers have won five of the past eight series, including the last three.
• With two blocks in Game 2, Myles Turner passed Roy Hibbert (106 blocks) for the third-most blocks in the playoffs in franchise history. Turner now has 108 career blocks in the playoffs.
• Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle won his 81st career playoff game on Friday, moving into a tie with KC Jones for 10th most postseason wins in NBA history.
• Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was named to the All-NBA third team on Friday, joining Reggie Miller, Jermaine O'Neal, and Paul George as the only players in franchise history to make multiple All-NBA teams while in Indiana.

Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)


TV: TNT - Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst), Stan Van Gundy (analyst), Allie LaForce (sideline reporter)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)

Tickets

The Pacers will host Jalen Brunson and the Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday, May 25 at 8:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>

[RWB]

Best thing is at least there is much less stress watching this one. Not saying it's not important but Knick fans have to be in knots. And to our friend Displaced nothing against you but man much of the New York fan base are pretty despicable. Pacers have our idiots too.

[Downtown Bang!]

Knicks will come out swinging and if hitting shots will likely have a double digit lead quick. Just need the team to hang in better than they did in game 3 vs. The Cav's and ride the home crowd back into the game. This Knick team is not deep enough or mentally strong enough to consistently close on the Pacers late.

[Cubs231721]

Reports are that the Knicks are considering replacing Hart with Robinson in the starting lineup. That would shake up the matchups considerably on both sides.

The Knicks knew they need to do something though because their starting lineup is getting pulverized right now.

[RWB]

Scott Foster lead ref tonight. Oh boy.

[PaceBalls]

What’s the Pacer's record with scott Foster? If the refs let them play, Pacers have got this.

[712Jefferson]

Let's hope they learned their lesson from game 3 against both the Bucks and Cavs.

[yoadknux]

Winning this game would be absolutely huge, but my expectations aren't high. We haven't won a game 3 this year (against neither the Bucks nor the Cavs), and the Knicks will give their 100000%. I am still hopeful, and my jersey for tonight is White pinstripe JO

[neosmndrew]

What’s the Pacer's record with scott Foster? If the refs let them play, Pacers have got this.

We're 4-0 in games Scott reffed in the regular season.

[Slick Pinkham]

Favorites! Only by 1.5 though.

[BornIndy]

Let's go!!!

[MyFavMartin]

Reports are that the Knicks are considering replacing Hart with Robinson in the starting lineup. That would shake up the matchups considerably on both sides.

The Knicks knew they need to do something though because their starting lineup is getting pulverized right now.

The Knicks lineup change will not change that Ps would be hunting KAT and Brunson in PNR actions, who still being on the court does not address the Knicks issues with defense. Yes, Robinson will get more rebounds but he'll be pulled away from the basket if he's on Turner. Guessing Brunson will be on Nesmith and KAT on Siakam. Will KAT still sag? Guessing he won't.

[MyFavMartin]

Reports are that the Knicks are considering replacing Hart with Robinson in the starting lineup. That would shake up the matchups considerably on both sides.

The Knicks knew they need to do something though because their starting lineup is getting pulverized right now.

The Knicks lineup change will not change that Ps would be hunting KAT and Brunson in PNR actions, who still being on the court does not address the Knicks issues with defense. Yes, Robinson will get more rebounds but he'll be pulled away from the basket if he's on Turner. Guessing Brunson will be on Nesmith and KAT on Siakam. Will KAT still sag? Guessing he won't.

[Ozwalt72]

Robinson starting isnt a concern. Maybe if they started with KAT on the bench and try to out bully-ball us

[RWB]

As much as I hate Hart this might work in our favor. He is their Energizer bunny so we'll see if they come out sluggish.