New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions May 23rd 2025

After Pacers’ Stunning Comeback, Knicks Look to Regroup for Game 2

Tyrese Haliburton has firmly cemented his status as public enemy No. 1 in New York. With his controversial choke sign and a clutch performance to match, the Indiana Pacers’ star helped engineer a dramatic 138-135 overtime win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, stunning Madison Square Garden and putting the Knicks in a precarious 0-1 hole.

Now, the Knicks face a crucial Game 2 on Friday night — one they can ill afford to lose.

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A Meltdown That Stung the Garden

The Knicks seemed to be cruising toward a Game 1 victory, holding a 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Jalen Brunson’s deep three put New York up 119-105 with 2:51 to play. What followed was a complete unraveling — a collapse punctuated by hot shooting from Aaron Nesmith and Haliburton’s near-buzzer beater that forced overtime.

“We played 46 good minutes. Those two minutes are where we lost the game, and that’s on all of us.”
— Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Nesmith scorched the Knicks with six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, ending with 30 points on 8-of-9 shooting from long range. His explosion sparked a comeback for the ages.

“I didn’t really realize what I was doing in the moment.”
— Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers

Haliburton’s would-be game-winner — initially celebrated as a three — was downgraded to a two after replay revealed his foot was on the line. But Indiana rode that momentum into the extra period, outlasting the Knicks and taking early control of the series.

Knicks Search for Answers

Despite brilliant efforts from Brunson (43 points) and Towns (35 points), the Knicks fell short. Defensively, they faltered at the worst possible time, and the offense lost its rhythm under pressure. Josh Hart summed up the late-game letdown best, pointing to a drop in energy and execution.

New York now finds itself in a familiar yet dangerous position — in need of adjustments and intensity, fast. Game 2 has become must-win territory as the series shifts to Indianapolis afterward.

Haliburton the Villain, Again

For Haliburton, this performance adds another chapter to his growing legacy as a Knicks nemesis. His decision to flash the infamous Reggie Miller-style choke gesture was both theatrical and controversial — a moment fans won’t soon forget.

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“It felt right at the time — well, if I would’ve known it was a two, I would not have done it. So I think I might’ve wasted it.”
— Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers

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The Pacers’ confidence is soaring, but head coach Rick Carlisle remains grounded.

“We’re not going to get too excited about this. We’ve got things to clean up. They got things to clean up. Game 2 is going to be another war.”
— Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers

This series has already delivered high drama, and it’s far from over. Fans closely watching the NBA picks know that momentum can flip quickly — and the Knicks have the firepower to do just that in Game 2.