Knicks Stun Pacers with Comeback Win in Game 3

The New York Knicks staged an impressive comeback, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The New York Knicks staged an impressive comeback, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This thrilling victory cut the Pacers' series lead to 2-1, reigniting the Knicks' chances of advancing to the NBA Finals.

With losses at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers now face a crucial challenge as the series shifts back to New York. The Knicks, buoyed by their comeback win, are determined to even the series and regain momentum. Game 4 promises to be a high-stakes showdown between the two Eastern Conference contenders.

Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental in the Knicks' comeback victory, scoring 24 points, with 20 of those points coming in a dominant fourth-quarter performance. He also added 15 rebounds, helping New York overcome a significant deficit and secure the win. Towns' explosive scoring in the final quarter was a key factor in the Knicks' ability to turn the game around and take control.

GAME 3️⃣ W✅ pic.twitter.com/zDSzlGI6p0

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 26, 2025

The Pacers now face a crucial task: regrouping for Game 4 on Tuesday after letting a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead slip away. Despite their strong performance, they couldn't hold off the Knicks' surge.

Jalen Brunson contributed 23 points for the Knicks but struggled with foul trouble, sitting out for stretches of the game. Fortunately for New York, their bench held strong in his absence, allowing the team to maintain momentum and ultimately secure the win.

The Pacers got off to a strong start, building a 20-point lead late in the second quarter with a 13-0 run that featured a clutch three-pointer from Tyrese Haliburton and a thunderous dunk. However, the Knicks refused to back down, responding with a 10-3 run to close out the second quarter and set the tone for their comeback.

New York's relentless effort paid off as they gradually chipped away at the Pacers' lead. The turning point came when Karl-Anthony Towns hit a 26-foot three-pointer, followed by a powerful dunk, to take the lead 86-85 with just over eight minutes left in the game. This momentum shift marked a crucial moment in the Knicks' comeback victory.

The Pacers kept the game close, but Karl-Anthony Towns sealed the win with a clutch 30-foot three-pointer, putting the Knicks up 94-90. From there, New York held firm, never relinquishing the lead to secure the victory.

“I made sure I was going to seize the opportunity when I got a chance tonight to do what I do in the fourth,” Towns said after the game. He had an impressive stat line, making 8 of 17 shots from the floor, including 3 of 7 from three-point range, and going 5 for 6 from the free-throw line. Towns' performance was instrumental in the Knicks' comeback win.

The Knicks are now the first team in 27 years to achieve three 20-point comeback victories in a single playoff run. pic.twitter.com/n1mr1MzXbx

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 26, 2025

Towns expressed his satisfaction with his performance, saying, “I just wanted to go out there and give our team a chance to win. I'm just happy I was able to do that.” His contributions were crucial in the Knicks' comeback victory.

The Knicks have often relied heavily on Jalen Brunson this season, but with him limited to fewer minutes due to foul trouble, the team demonstrated its depth. “That's what we're built on,” Brunson said. “We're a great team, great chemistry. Built on togetherness. It's tough watching from the sidelines, but I got the utmost faith and confidence in them.” The team's ability to win without their star player showcased their strong team dynamic.

Pacers' Injury Blow and Coach's No-Excuse Stance

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 20 points and six assists, while Myles Turner added 19 points. However, Indiana suffered a setback when forward Aaron Nesmith limped out of the game midway through the third quarter after landing awkwardly. Nesmith, who had to leave the court with a right ankle sprain, returned in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks had already taken the lead.

Coach Rick Carlisle downplayed the impact of Nesmith's absence on the team's momentum. “You lose a guy like that, it affects your ability to close a quarter, so maybe there's a factor there, but we're not gonna make excuses,” he said, emphasizing the team's commitment to not using injuries as a justification for their loss.

“I mean, we've come back from big leads, we lost a lead today,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “Regardless of who's out there, we've got to be able to attack better and do the things to maintain it and finish the game.” He added, “So we just simply did not execute as well as we need to.”

The winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers will advance to the NBA Finals, where they'll face either Oklahoma City or Minnesota. The Thunder currently lead the Western Conference Finals series 2-1, heading into Game 4 against the Timberwolves on Monday in Minneapolis.