Pacers Stun Knicks in Overtime, Seize Game 1 Edge
If you thought playoff basketball couldn’t get any wilder, Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals just shattered that assumption. The Indiana Pacers pulled off a comeback win on May 21, toppling the New York Knicks on their home floor 138-135 in overtime. In a packed Madison Square Garden, fans watched as both teams fired on all cylinders, and the game turned into a fierce duel right from the opening tip.
The Knicks, led by a monster performance from Jalen Brunson, looked ready to make a statement. Brunson dropped a staggering 43 points, slicing his way through the Pacers’ defense and hitting from everywhere on the floor. Josh Hart battled hard under the rim, grabbing 13 rebounds and shouldering much of New York’s hustle game. For much of the night, it seemed the Knicks would ride their energy and talent to an early series lead.
But the Pacers had other ideas. Down late in the fourth, they didn’t blink. Instead, they cranked up their intensity, locked in on defense, and found their rhythm offensively. Every possession was a fistfight, with bodies on the floor and barely a second to breathe. Indiana’s offense was balanced, spreading the ball around and getting key contributions from their starting five and bench. The crucial plays came in the final two minutes, as the Pacers closed the gap and forced overtime against a stunned Knicks squad.
In the extra period, it was the Pacers’ boldness that made the difference. They attacked the basket relentlessly and hit clutch shots when it mattered most, while also doing just enough defensively to hold off the Knicks. The energy in the Garden shifted as Indiana grabbed the lead and never let up. Knicks players tried to battle back but ran out of gas and options as the final horn sounded.
What This Means for the Series
Punch for punch, both teams look evenly matched. But Game 1 reminded everyone how dangerous Indiana can be, especially when the pressure is highest. Stealing home-court advantage from the Knicks is a statement, and suddenly the Pacers have everyone’s attention—not just with the win, but with how they earned it. The Eastern Conference Finals just got a whole lot more interesting.
Now, the stakes are even higher heading into Game 2, with New York facing early adversity and Indiana playing with newfound confidence. The Knicks can’t afford to let this one slip, as going down 0-2 at home would be brutal. The Pacers, meanwhile, have shown they’re more than just plucky underdogs—they’re here to fight for the Finals.
This series, loaded with stars and grit, already feels like it could go the distance. Fans won’t have to wait long for the next chapter: Game 2 tips off May 23, and if this first clash says anything, it’s that neither side is backing down.
