Knicks fall to Pacers despite Brunson’s 39 point night

The New York Knicks came up short against the Indiana Pacers last night at the Garden, losing 111-125. Despite a strong performance from Jalen Brunson, who poured in 39 points, the Knicks were unable to secure the win, dropping their second straight game at home.

Brunson, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous game due to an ankle injury, led the Knicks’ offensive charge with an impressive scoring display. Additionally, Alec Burks made a notable impact in his first game back with the Knicks, contributing 22 points off the bench.

Burks, who was acquired from the Detroit Pistons before the trade deadline, showcased his scoring ability with a strong showing in his return to the team, dropping 15 of his total points in the fourth quarter.

However, the Knicks found themselves trailing by three at halftime, unable to seize control of the game in the second half. Despite exchanging leads continuously in the first half, the Knicks never managed to pull ahead after the break. The Pacers extended their lead further with a buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton at the end of the third quarter, putting them ahead 91-82.

As the game progressed, the Pacers continued to build on their lead, stretching it to its largest margin of 114-92 with just 5:40 remaining in the game. Despite a valiant effort from the Knicks, they struggled to score during a pivotal 13-4 run by the Pacers, making a comeback increasingly challenging.

“I thought for the first game there were some obviously good things and obviously there’s a lot for them to adjust to. As a team, I think we have to do a lot better. We’re shorthanded. We’re going to have to play a lot harder and a lot tougher.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Myles Turner led the Pacers with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Haliburton added 22 points and 12 assists. Pascal Siakam also made significant contributions, chipping in 19 points for Indiana.

Despite the disappointing result, the Knicks remain focused on their playoff aspirations as they approach the All-Star break. With two road games remaining before the break, the Knicks currently sit in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, holding a 1.5-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers and trailing the Milwaukee Bucks by just one game.

As the Knicks look to bounce back from their recent losses, fans eagerly anticipate the return of injured players and the continued integration of newcomers like Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic into the lineup. With the postseason in sight, the Knicks remain determined to finish the season strong and make a deep playoff run.

Up-next: The Knicks (33-20) will travel to Texas to take on the Houston Rockets (23-29) on Monday from 8:00 pm.