The Indiana Pacers delivered a decisive blow to the New York Knicks' championship aspirations, securing a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 130-121 victory on Tuesday night. Facing a daunting deficit, the Knicks now face a steep uphill battle, as history indicates only a small fraction of teams have rallied from this position in NBA playoff history.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' star point guard, once again shouldered the offensive burden, contributing 31 points. However, his performance was overshadowed by a historic performance from Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton orchestrated a masterful game, recording a phenomenal triple-double of 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds.
Haliburton's performance set the tone for the Pacers, who controlled the tempo and dictated the flow of the game. His aggressive approach from the opening tip was evident, leading to an efficient shooting performance and a career-high in rebounds. Adding to the significance of his performance, Haliburton achieved this feat without committing a single turnover, solidifying his place in NBA history.
Another key contributor for the Pacers was Benedict Mathurin, who had previously struggled in the series. Mathurin provided a much-needed spark off the bench, scoring 20 points in just over 12 minutes of play. His aggressive mindset was on full display as he consistently attacked the basket, drawing fouls and converting free throws.
The Knicks' downfall in Game 4 can be attributed to their excessive turnovers. Committing 17 turnovers, compared to Indiana's 11, resulted in 20 points for the Pacers. These turnovers fueled Indiana's fast-break offense, allowing them to exploit their speed and athleticism. Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of limiting turnovers against a team with such a potent transition game.
Adding to the Knicks' woes, they suffered another injury blow as center Karl-Anthony Towns sustained a left knee injury late in the fourth quarter. Towns, who had been instrumental in New York's Game 3 comeback, crumpled to the floor after a collision. His availability for Game 5 is now uncertain, further complicating the Knicks' already challenging situation.
The Knicks' bench, which played a crucial role in their Game 3 victory, failed to replicate their success in Game 4. As New York trailed throughout the second half, the bench struggled to provide a spark, contributing just eight points. Josh Hart's aggressive play was hampered by foul trouble, limiting his impact on the game.