The New York Knicks have once again proven that they have a flair for dramatic comebacks, firmly establishing themselves as the “comeback kids” of the playoffs, even if it’s not a title they readily embrace. After all, nobody wants to find themselves down by 20 points to start a game. However, this has become a defining characteristic of their playoff journey, showcasing an incredible resilience that’s both impressive and a tad stressful for fans. Last night, the Knicks found themselves on the edge again — trailing by double digits yet again in the Eastern Conference Finals — but they rallied to secure a 106-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, narrowly avoiding falling into a daunting 0-3 hole.
After the game, Knicks forward Josh Hart reflected on the rollercoaster nature of their performances. “Yeah, I don’t know. I would love to not be down 20. We were down 20 and then we were up 17. Maybe if we’re in the middle, up 10 or something, that could be a good situation,” Hart mused. “But it’s just we have the fight and the belief. I think today we were all connected. Even in those moments of adversity, we didn’t go off as individuals. We came closer together, and I think that was really why we were able to get runs, get stops; we truly believed. That’s the kind of togetherness we have to have.”
WHAT HAPPENED
The night began with the Pacers taking an early 30-26 lead before they exploded for a 25-9 run, extending their lead to a daunting 55-35 with just over three minutes left in the second quarter. It’s worth noting that this marks the 10th time the Knicks have trailed by double digits during these playoffs, with five of those instances seeing them down by 20 or more points.
“I hate that we’ve gotta get down 20 all the time, but I don’t know. We just find a way,” said Mikal Bridges, capturing both the frustration and determination shared by the team. “I think it’s the will to win every time.”
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau quickly called a timeout after Tyrese Haliburton’s dunk pushed the Pacers’ lead to 20. The Knicks responded immediately with a 10-3 run, trimming the deficit to 58-45 by halftime.
“In playoff basketball, I know you guys roll your eyes when I say no lead is safe, but no lead is safe,” Thibodeau maintained after the game. “I think with the three-point shot, people can make up ground quickly. The pace of the game allows for rapid comebacks, so if you let up just a little bit, that’s what happens.”
The Knicks showcased their grit by winning the third quarter 25-22, with Miles McBride overcoming a tough start to contribute seven crucial points. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson, Bridges, and OG Anunoby each added six points, helping to chip away at the deficit.
“Honestly, keep fighting. The thing about us is we’re gonna fight ’til the end,” McBride said. “We’ve given up leads, we know how the league works — teams get comfortable. We just try to go out there and figure it out and stick together and keep fighting.”
In the fourth quarter, the Knicks turned up the intensity, outscoring the Pacers 36-20. Karl-Anthony Towns shone brightly, netting 20 of his 24 points in the final period as the team settled into their rhythm.
“Fourth quarter is different. It’s a whole ‘nother game,” Towns explained. “Forget that last game and those last three quarters and just focus on giving yourself a chance to win the game. My teammates put me in spots to succeed.”
“Getting stops and then getting out and getting easy buckets. Obviously, KAT had it going. Just the fight, I think that was the biggest thing,” Hart added. “We let it slip in the first half, we got down 20, but we continued to fight, continued to trust in each other, continued to communicate at a high level, and it just benefited us.”
Game 3 against the Pacers tallied up as the Knicks’ third time overcoming a 20-point deficit this playoff run, solidifying their reputation as a team that never says die.
“We’ve been there, we’ve been in those situations before,” said Mitchell Robinson. “We stuck with it, continued to fight, and didn’t give up, and thankfully, we got the win.”
While the Knicks have shown they can thrive when facing daunting challenges, it’s evident that they would prefer a less stressful approach moving forward if they wish to secure a spot in the NBA Finals.
“You’ve got to win games different ways. Obviously, you prefer to play from a lead, but whatever it is that you have to do, that’s what you have to do to win in the end,” Thibodeau noted. “Going into the game, we talked about, you don’t play the series, you play the game. Just focus on what it takes to win tonight’s game. That’s all we’re thinking about.”
Towns offered a final thought on the camaraderie within the locker room. “When you’re down 20-plus, it’s a testament to the character of everyone in that locker room to not give up and continue to fight. I think this team has shown greatness all year — the Detroit series, the Boston series. Tonight we got to show that never-say-quit attitude. It’s a testament to everyone in the locker room.”
