Knicks fall to Pacers 126-140 despite DiVincezo’s career night

The New York Knicks dropped the last game of the season, 126-140 last night to the Indiana Pacers.

Donte DiVincenzo emerged as the standout performer for the Knicks, amassing an impressive 38 points on an efficient 15-of-21 shooting, including a remarkable 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson contributed significantly, notching 28 points each, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

The game was marked by the absence of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, both traded to the Raptors prior to the matchup, for OG Anunoby.

“Anunoby can really defend. He can shoot. Big, long. He’ll be really good for us. RJ, he’s like a little brother to me. We’ve been through ups and downs year after year together. It’s tough. Quick is like a little brother, too. I think they’re going to be great for a long time, and I’ll always be a fan from a distance.”

– Julius Randle

Coach Tom Thibodeau opted for a smaller rotation, affording Evan Fournier and Miles McBride extended minutes. Fournier managed to score 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, while McBride showcased efficiency with 5 points on 2-of-3 field goals.

Despite a valiant effort in the fourth quarter to mount a comeback, the Knicks struggled to contain the Pacers’ scoring onslaught. The Pacers seized control of the game late in the third quarter, securing a 103-87 lead that proved insurmountable for the Knicks.

The first half displayed a more balanced contest, with the Knicks starting strong on a 13-4 run. However, DiVincenzo’s early third-quarter three-pointer briefly gave the Knicks a 67-64 lead before the Pacers responded with a decisive 9-0 run.

For the Pacers, Myles Turner led the charge with an impressive 28 points, showcasing his long-range prowess with a 6-of-8 performance from beyond the arc. Aaron Nesmith contributed 25 points, connecting on 7-of-11 three-point attempts, and Tyrese Haliburton had a standout game with 22 points and an astonishing 23 assists, tying a franchise record. The record was set by Jamaal Tinsley on November 22, 2001.

Haliburton’s remarkable performance puts him in elite company, joining Magic Johnson and John Stockton as the only players with consecutive games of at least 20 points and 20 assists. With a total of 43 assists in the last two games and just two turnovers, Haliburton now leads the league with an average of 12.8 assists per game.

The victory marked the Pacers’ third straight win, while the Knicks experienced their third consecutive loss. The Pacers’ sharpshooting was evident, shooting an impressive 58.8% from the field, while the Knicks struggled to maintain a 48% shooting efficiency.

In a noteworthy development related to the trade, the Raptors, the other team involved, also suffered a loss last night, 129-127 against the Pistons, who were on a historic losing streak of 28 games.