Knicks erased a 20-point deficit to defeat the Pacers 106-100.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 of his 24 points in the final quarter.
Jalen Brunson added 23 points despite foul trouble.
New York trims Eastern Conference Finals series to 2-1.
Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner led a hot Pacers start.
Knicks took control late with high-pressure defense and clutch shots.
Indiana falls to 0-4 on Indy 500 day games.
New York Knicks Pull Off Stunning Comeback Win vs Pacers: 20-Point Rally Turns Game 3 Into Instant Classic
Indianapolis, May 25, 2025 — The New York Knicks pulled off an electrifying escape act Sunday night, storming back from a 20-point deficit to stun the Indiana Pacers 106-100 and breathe fire into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Forget polite comebacks — this was a basketball burglary in broad daylight, and the culprits wore orange and blue.
Leading the charge? Karl-Anthony Towns, who turned into a flamethrower in the fourth quarter, pouring in 20 of his 24 points when it mattered most. His partner in crime? The ever-clutch Jalen Brunson, who added 23 points and dished out poise under pressure.
The victory trims the series to 2-1, and just like that — we’ve got ourselves a battle.
Pacers Dominate Early — Then Collapse Under Pressure
For the first half, it looked like Game 3 would be a party for Pacers Nation. The crowd was on fire, the energy nuclear, and Indiana’s offense unstoppable.
Tyrese Haliburton sliced through the defense with 20 points and six assists, dazzling in transition. Myles Turner owned the paint with 19. The Pacers exploded to a 55-35 lead, sending waves of panic through Knicks fans watching from home and the stands.
Even a standing ovation for Indianapolis 500 champion Alex Palou, who made a courtside cameo fresh off his racing glory, seemed to boost Indiana’s mojo.
But this isn’t Formula 1. It’s the NBA Playoffs. And the Knicks were just getting started.
Brunson’s Calm, Towns’ Fire Spark Second-Half Surge
Down 68-52 early in the third quarter, the Knicks didn’t flinch. They regrouped. Refocused. Retaliated.
Brunson, battling foul trouble, found his rhythm with surgical midrange jumpers and slippery drives. But the real explosion came in the fourth, when Karl-Anthony Towns transformed from quiet contributor to full-blown superstar.
In just twelve minutes, Towns erupted for 20 points — raining jumpers, muscling for rebounds, and playing defense like his career depended on it.
It wasn’t just scoring. It was energy. Intensity. A statement.
The Moment Everything Changed
With 7:10 left in the game and the Knicks still trailing, Brunson snaked into the lane and banked in a tough floater to give New York an 89-88 lead — their first since the opening tip.
The building went silent. The Pacers looked stunned. The Knicks looked possessed.
From that point, they never gave the lead back. They clawed, hustled, and held the Pacers at arm’s length until the final buzzer.
When the dust settled and the last free throws dropped with just 2.6 seconds on the clock, the scoreboard told the truth: Knicks 106, Pacers 100.
Indiana’s Indy 500 Curse Continues
For the Pacers, this one stings — and not just because of the blown lead.
Sunday marked the fourth time Indiana has played a game on the same day as the Indianapolis 500, and for the fourth time, they lost.
Despite the “Vroom Baby” shirts and the festive doubleheader energy, Indiana’s night ended in heartbreak. Again.
Even NBA legend Reggie Miller, watching from courtside with fellow 2000 Eastern Conference Finalists, couldn’t will the Pacers across the finish line.
Tactical Breakdown: Knicks Flip the Script
What changed in the second half? Everything.
- Defensive Intensity: The Knicks suffocated the Pacers’ passing lanes, forcing poor shots and killing the transition game.
- Offensive Rhythm: After a clunky start, the Knicks leaned into quick passes and isolations that let Brunson and Towns cook.
- Composure: Even when down big, New York never panicked. They looked like veterans who believed the game would turn — and they made it happen.
Towns Shakes Off Critics, Becomes the Hero
Towns has heard the doubters for years — “soft,” “unclutch,” “too emotional.” But on this stage, in this moment, he erased all of that.
“This is what I play for,” Towns shouted postgame. “You want to be the guy when your team needs you — and I was ready.”
And how. Towns wasn’t just hot — he was unstoppable. Midrange. Post-ups. Putbacks. Free throws. He had it all, and Indiana had no answers.
Brunson Steady as Ever
Jalen Brunson continues to prove he’s not just a scorer — he’s a floor general with ice in his veins.
Even in foul trouble, even while being hounded by defenders, Brunson dictated the game’s tempo. He made the right reads. The smart plays. And when the Knicks needed buckets, he delivered.
“He’s our heartbeat,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “He leads by example — and he never lets the moment get too big.”
A Look Ahead: Game 4 is War
With the series now at 2-1, all eyes turn to Game 4 on Tuesday night — same arena, same energy, but an entirely new script.
If the Knicks can win again in Indianapolis, they’ll steal home court and send a clear message: this series is far from over.
But if the Pacers bounce back? It’s back to square one — and a best-of-three dogfight awaits.
One thing is certain: neither team will go quietly.
The City That Never Sleeps Woke Up Loud
Back in New York, the Garden faithful are already buzzing. Social media exploded. Fans paraded in the streets. Memes flew. The Knicks aren’t done — they’re alive and dangerous.
This comeback wasn’t just about a win — it was about identity.
This is a Knicks team that punches back, that doesn’t fold, that finds ways to win even when it looks impossible.
That’s scary news for Indiana — and maybe the rest of the NBA.
Don’t Count the Knicks Out Yet
Sunday night’s shocker wasn’t just one of the best comebacks of the season — it was a reminder. A wake-up call.
The Knicks comeback win vs Pacers wasn’t a fluke. It was a testament to grit, belief, and execution under pressure.
Karl-Anthony Towns became a hero. Jalen Brunson reaffirmed his leadership. And the Knicks sent a message across the league:
We’re still here. And we’re coming.
