After a Dantesque Game 1, ended with a contested but confirmed arbitration decision, Knicks And Pacers meet for a crucial Game 2, still at Madison Square Garden. So at home, new York takes charge of fulfilling its mission, which is to protect its field (130-121), by turning to 2-0 after two matches and leaving Indiana back to the wall before changing rooms.
A meeting that the “Big Apple” franchise sought with forceps, relying on its starting five which was, to say the least, effective: Jalen Brunson (29 points, 5 assists, 3 steals) – OG Anunoby (28 points) – Donte DiVincenzo (28 points) – Josh Hart (19 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists) – Isaiah Hartenstein (14 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists). This was also necessary to resist Tyrese Haliburton (34 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals), Obi Toppin (20 points) or TJ McConnell (10 points, 12 assists).
Note, however, the injury exit of OG Anunoby during the match. The images don't bode well, but New York fans are keeping their fingers crossed…
Tyrese Haliburton more aggressive in scoring
In front of a (already) delirious crowd, the Knicks got off to the best start: 24-13. Well defended, Jalen Brunson does not force anything and he lets OG Anunoby feed the New York score, all aggressively, despite Josh Hart's ball losses. It is after a timeout that the Pacers wake up, boosted by their bench (Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell), offensive rebounds but especially Tyrese Haliburton, scoring oriented and who does not hesitate to take the game into his own hands. The attacks are celebrating and they go blow for blow (36-36).
Without Jalen Brunson, affected in the right foot, the Pacers took the opportunity to gradually break away, taking advantage of the Knicks necessarily having a little more difficulty offensively, OG Anunoby excepted. Thus, the rookie Ben Sheppard does damage at 3-points, Obi Toppin is still valuable with his contribution and the gap increases little by little. Especially when Tyrese Haliburton alternates successful exterior shooting with good shifts for his interiors. A first period to the advantage of Indiana therefore (73-63), and New York will have to ensure that the match is not played at a slower pace, which suits it better.
Jalen Brunson, King of the Garden
With Jalen Brunson back, the Knicks are regaining color with, in particular, a big boost from Donte DiVincenzo, who does a lot of good at the start of halftime. The Pacers are completely ineffective and clumsy on offense, in addition to failing on defense, and what had to happen happened: change in scoring leader. Everything went well for New York, until OG Anunoby injured his thigh, probably muscularly. Forced out, this gives Brunson the opportunity to resume his role as the team's offensive engine, much to the chagrin of Indiana (99-91).
Under the leadership of the hyperactive TJ McConnell, who gives himself on each side with Pascal Siakam, the Pacers do not give up and they pick up at the start of the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson is the only one to create something for the Knicks, on a thread as money time approaches. To get back on track, they flex their muscles and make hustle plays, with Isaiah Hartenstein, while Brunson remains untenable in hot moments and Donte DiVincenzo (again) plants killer 3-point shots. Indiana cracks, like an expelled Rick Carlisle, and New York seals the 2-0 in a heated atmosphere!
TO REMEMBER
– The “Nova Boys” still on top. Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. Probably the three players who best embody the current success of these Knicks that we will definitely never be able to surpass in combativeness. Ready to lay down their lives on the floor, Tom Thibodeau's men continue to overcome any obstacle (see below) and, in key moments, they constantly rely, and without hesitation, on their trio Brunson – DiVincenzo – Hart to secure the blow. Special mention to another soldier, namely Isaiah Hartenstein, who never spares his efforts under the panels.
– OG Anunoby joins the infirmary. After Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson, it is OG Anunoby who is injured and, like his three teammates, we may not see him again for the season. Hit in the hamstring on a counter-attack, while he was beating the Pacers, he immediately slowed down and that's the kind of image that doesn't look good. We'll see what the MRI's verdict will be, but the winger's absence risks being counted in weeks, further weakening Tom Thibodeau's rotation. Especially since Jalen Brunson also got scared in the first half, on his right foot/knee, before coming back…
– Indiana had the place. Before pulling the pin at the end, like Rick Carlisle furious with the referees, the Pacers had opportunities to hurt the Knicks and steal this Game 2. Problem, despite a collective deeper than their opponents, they notably paid for their failed start to the second half, when Jalen Brunson returned and it energized all of NYC. However, Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell had put Indy on the right track, but between the gap in the third quarter (18-36), a defense at bay and a lack of rigor in the “money- time”, impossible to hope for better.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
