Pascal Siakam erupts for 39 points in a career-best playoff performance
Pacers now lead the Knicks 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
Indiana has won six straight playoff road games
Tyrese Haliburton flirts with a triple-double in gritty Game 2 win
Knicksโ Jalen Brunson shines with 36 points but canโt save New York
Game 3 shifts to Indiana, where the Pacers can go up 3-0
Madison Square Garden crowd stunned by back-to-back home losses
Broadway Breakdown: Pacers Shock Knicks Again in Game 2 Thriller
New York thought it had the edge. Madison Square Garden was packed, buzzing, and borderline electric. The Knicks, 25 years removed from their last trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, were poised to strike back.
But Pacers vs Knicks has become the Pascal Siakam showโand the star forward just silenced the worldโs most famous arena.
Siakam dropped a playoff career-high 39 points, slicing through the Knicks defense like a hot knife through butter as the Indiana Pacers grabbed a 114-109 win, seizing a stunning 2-0 lead in the series.
Pascal Siakam: The Silent Superstar Goes Nuclear
There was no theatrics. No trash talk. Just pure dominance.
Pascal Siakam, calm and calculated, ripped the Knicks apart. The veteran forward drained jumpers, bullied defenders in the paint, and knocked down clutch free throws like he was born for playoff basketball. Siakamโs 39 points werenโt just flashyโthey were lethal.
This wasnโt just a great night. It was a message: Indiana is not here to participate. Theyโre here to take over.
Haliburton and Turner Deliver the Support Act
While Siakam shined brightest, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner filled the gaps like pros.
Haliburton nearly pulled off a triple-double, tallying 14 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds. His court vision kept the offense humming, his poise under pressure cooled off every Knicks mini-run.
Meanwhile, Turner dropped 16 critical points, played strong interior defense, and hit key buckets in the final stretch that kept the Knicks chasing shadows.
Together, Indianaโs big three were a machineโand right now, that machineโs running like clockwork.
Knicksโ Hero Brunson Canโt Do It Alone
Jalen Brunson gave New York everything he had.
He put up 36 points and 11 assists, attacking the rim, hitting contested jumpers, and carrying a sluggish offense on his back. But the help just wasnโt there.
The Knicks needed more. More from Julius Randle. More from anyone not named Brunson. But when the fourth quarter opened and the Pacers made their move, the Knicks offense flatlined.
New York defended better than in Game 1โno 138-point meltdowns this timeโbut they couldnโt generate consistent buckets when it mattered.
Pacersโ Road Magic: Six Straight Wins Away From Home
Forget home court. Indiana is building their legend on the road.
Since losing Game 3 in Milwaukee, the Pacers have ripped off six straight road playoff winsโa staggering feat in todayโs NBA, especially against top seeds.
And theyโre not squeaking by either. Theyโre outplaying, out-executing, and outlasting opponents on their own turf. The Knicks were supposed to be unbeatable at MSG. The Pacers made it their playgroundโtwice.
If this streak continues, they might not need a Game 6 at home at all.
Game 3: Indianaโs Opportunity to Slam the Door Shut
With a 2-0 lead, Game 3 in Indiana is shaping up to be the biggest Pacers home game in 20+ years.
A win puts them up 3-0, a virtually insurmountable deficit in NBA playoff history. Thatโs not just a foot in the door of the Finalsโitโs halfway through it, holding a sledgehammer.
Expect the Pacers to play with fire. Expect the Knicks to be desperate.
This oneโs going to be war.
What Went Wrong for New York?
- Poor fourth-quarter execution: The Knicks came out flat when it mattered most. Indiana went on a run early in the final quarter and the Knicks never fully recovered.
- Lack of support for Brunson: Outside of the star guard, no one delivered consistently. Bench production was anemic.
- Momentum killer: After the heartbreak of Game 1โs overtime loss, the Knicks looked shaken, not sharpened. Confidence took a hit, and it showed in late-game execution.
Pacers Peaking at the Perfect Time
This Indiana team isnโt sneaking past anyone anymore. They are rollingโand theyโve never looked more confident.
From Siakamโs superstar play to Haliburtonโs leadership to Coach Rick Carlisleโs cool, calculated rotations, the Pacers look like they believe this is their year.
They havenโt reached the Finals since 2000. Now? Theyโre two wins away. And New York looks like a team still trying to figure out what just hit them.
What to Watch for in Game 3
- Can Siakam stay scorching? Another 30+ performance might bury New York.
- Will Knicks get help for Brunson? Theyโll need it, or the series is slipping fast.
- Can Indiana keep the pressure up at home? With the crowd on their side, expect fireworks.
- Will the Knicks change the lineup? Desperation might force Coach Tom Thibodeau to shake things up.
Final Word: Pacers vs Knicks Has a New Alphaโand Itโs Not the Team in Blue and Orange
Indiana came into Madison Square Garden and took the Knicksโ confidence, swagger, and home-court advantage.
The Pacers vs Knicks battle isnโt overโbut itโs heading back to Indiana with the Pacers in full control.
Game 3 tips off Sunday. If the Knicks want to save their season, theyโll need more than just Jalen Brunson. Theyโll need heart, hustle, and a whole lot of help.
Because right now, the Pacers are steamrolling their way to the NBA Finals.
