In a tightly contested playoff matchup, the New York Knicks faced off against the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night. The game took place at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks were looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Game 1.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a rocky start, failing to score in the first quarter. However, he found his rhythm later, finishing the game with 20 points. His teammate, Mitchell Robinson, played a significant role in the first half, providing energy and defense, which allowed Towns to be more effective offensively. Robinson’s presence was felt as he contributed six points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in 29 minutes, his most playing time of the playoffs.
Despite Towns’ efforts, the Knicks struggled as a team. They were outscored by 20 points during Towns’ 27 minutes on the court. The starting unit fell behind early, putting the Knicks in a 10-point hole. It wasn’t until Robinson and Miles McBride came off the bench that the Knicks managed to rally, taking a 52-49 lead into halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Towns sat out for nearly seven minutes as coach Tom Thibodeau opted for a more defensive lineup with Robinson as the only big man. This decision came back to haunt the Knicks when the Pacers began to intentionally foul Robinson, leading to Towns re-entering the game with just 2:25 left on the clock. Unfortunately, the Knicks couldn’t close the gap, and they ultimately lost to the Pacers, 114-109, marking their second straight home loss in the series.
OG Anunoby had a strong first half for the Knicks, scoring all nine of his points before the break, including a 3-pointer to start the game. However, he finished with only 16 points, highlighting a trend where the Knicks struggle when he doesn’t score at least 20 points.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions for Knicks fans, with moments of hope quickly dashed by missed opportunities and defensive lapses. The Pacers capitalized on these mistakes, and even though Towns found some offensive success later in the game, it wasn’t enough to secure a win. As the Knicks head deeper into the playoffs, they will need to address their defensive struggles and find a way to maintain consistency throughout the game.