Supply: Getty Pictures / Indiana Pacers / New York Knicks
It’s not orange and blue skies after the NBA’s “most overrated participant,” Tyrese Haliburton, and the Indiana Pacers as soon as once more despatched New York Knicks, Ben Stiller, Timothee Chalamet, Spike Lee, and the remainder of the diehard Knickerbocker followers on summer time break.
The New York Knicks and their followers thought their 52-year championship drought was coming to an finish, however sadly, the Indiana Pacers had different plans.
Final evening, in a recreation that began shut, the Pacers finally cruised to a 125-108 Recreation 6 win over the Knicks, punching their ticket to the NBA Finals for the primary time in 25 years to face the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the place they hope they will win the franchise’s first NBA title.
Out of the gate, the Knicks didn’t let the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd have an effect on them, protecting the competition shut, trailing by solely 4 factors at halftime. Nevertheless it was clear they couldn’t preserve tempo with the Pacers, who turned it on within the second half, ending the third quarter with an 11-point lead that the Knicks couldn’t overcome.
It didn’t assist that the Knicks’ offense was stifled by the Pacers’ protection within the second half. The clutch participant of the yr and Knicks’ high offensive weapon, Jalen Brunson, was held to only 19 factors and shot 4/10 on the half as a result of Andrew Nembhard locked him down.
In Video games 1-5, Andrew Nembhard defended Jalen Brunson for 49 match-ups, permitting 51.0 participant factors per 100 match-ups
In Recreation 6, Nembhard defended Brunson for 55 match-ups, giving up simply 9.1 participant factors per 100 match-ups
He was sensational. pic.twitter.com/VQNoJSo22x
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) June 1, 2025
Turnovers Killed The Knicks’ Probabilities
The Pacers additionally pressured 18 Knicks turnovers, scoring 25 fastbreak factors, a recipe for catastrophe for any group making an attempt to win an Jap Convention Finals collection.
After being stifled in Recreation 5, Tyrese Haliburton returned to kind, scoring 21 factors and doling out 13 assists. Nevertheless, it was Pascal Siakam’s 31-point efficiency that helped put the Knicks away for good, incomes him the collection MVP award, which additionally offered a basic meme second.
Tyrese Haliburton thought that Larry Fowl ECF MVP trophy was his🤣#NBA #Pacers pic.twitter.com/59eF189mNI
— Caleb Nixon (@calebnixonmedia) June 1, 2025
Jalen Brunson Nonetheless Has Confidence In This Knicks Workforce
Regardless of stable offensive efforts from OG Anunoby, who led all Knicks scorers with 24 factors, and Karl-Anthony Cities with 22, it simply wasn’t sufficient.
It didn’t assist that Josh Hart, who has been dependable all season, didn’t depart his mark on the sport, scoring solely 4 factors.
Following the sport, Brunson says he nonetheless believes on this Knicks group as it’s constructed, telling reporters he has “Essentially the most confidence, overconfident, severely,” Brunson stated. “There’s not an oz. of any sort of doubt that I’m assured with this group.”
Jalen Brunson was requested if he has confidence that Tom Thibodeau is the best coach for the Knicks transferring ahead:
“Is that an actual query proper now? You simply requested me if I imagine if he is the best man. Sure.” pic.twitter.com/FRjCO8genL
— Knicks Movies (@sny_knicks) June 1, 2025
A Magical Season Comes To A Bitter Finish
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks appeared like they had been on the verge of a particular season after two huge playoff collection wins, together with knocking off the defending champion Boston Celtics.
However it will prove their greatest check can be the franchise’s longtime rivals, the Indiana Pacers, who’ve performed boogeyman to the Knicks franchise for a few years.
Coming into the collection, the Knicks had all of the momentum, particularly after pulling off one of many greatest comebacks in playoff historical past en path to denying the Celtics the chance to defend their 2023-24 NBA championship.
It could prove that the Knicks would get a style of their very own medication after they dramatically blew a major lead in recreation 1 of the Jap Convention finals, which led to an insane Tyrese Haliburton buzzer-beater to pressure additional time, the place the Knicks got here up quick, and finally would go on to lose the collection.
TYRESE HALIBURTON BUZZER BEATER FORCES OT 🤯🤯🤯
AND HE DID THE CHOKE SIGN TO THE KNICKS!!! pic.twitter.com/0jufr6naNl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) Might 22, 2025
As you’ll be able to think about, Knicks followers’ feelings are everywhere. Some are happy with their Knickerbockers, whereas others really feel a change is required, calling for the firing of head coach Tom Thibodeau, whose rotations and refusal to make use of his bench had been as soon as once more the topic of debate.
Tom Thibodeau is simply Doc Rivers however performs his stars 48 minutes a recreation. pic.twitter.com/d2fVTya9Cj
— chickenfried🍗 (@realzachbrown) Might 26, 2025
Welp, there’s all the time subsequent yr.
You may see extra reactions within the gallery beneath.
New York Knicks Followers Sick After Indiana Pacers Ship Their Beloved Knickerbockers Packing For A Second Straight 12 months
was initially printed on
hiphopwired.com
1. A proud Knicks fan
I don’t care I’m rattling happy with this group.
A season filled with recollections
Two All Star starters
Again to again 50 win seasons
Nice collection win vs Detroit
An upset for the ages vs Boston
First ECF in 25 years
It was a tremendous season pic.twitter.com/JWJipMcEsq
— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) June 1, 2025