The New York Knicks faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night, losing to the Indiana Pacers 130-121 in Game 4 of their playoff series. The game, held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, was marked by a series of turnovers that ultimately cost the Knicks the win.
Josh Hart was a key player in this disappointing loss. He committed five turnovers, four of which occurred in the first half. These mistakes allowed the Pacers to capitalize, turning Hart’s turnovers into eight points. The Knicks as a team struggled with ball control, finishing the game with a total of 17 turnovers, which the Pacers converted into 20 points.
The Pacers are known for their fast-paced style of play, and they took full advantage of the Knicks’ errors. They outscored the Knicks 22-9 in fast break points, showcasing their ability to push the tempo and force opponents into mistakes. Hart’s fouls added to the Knicks’ woes; after he fouled out, the Pacers scored nine points either directly from those fouls or shortly after.
Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton was particularly impressive, playing a pivotal role without committing any turnovers himself. The Pacers only had 11 turnovers, while the Knicks could only muster nine points off those mistakes.
The game turned in the third quarter when the Knicks committed two turnovers on their first two possessions. This allowed the Pacers to go on a 7-0 run, extending their lead to 12 points. Even when the Knicks managed to cut the deficit to five, Hart stepped out of bounds under minimal pressure, leading to another Pacers score.
The loss puts the Knicks’ season in a precarious position. They now face the challenge of regrouping and addressing their turnover issues if they hope to stay competitive in the series. The Pacers’ ability to exploit mistakes and play at a faster pace was evident, and the Knicks will need to find a way to counter that in their next matchup.