Indiana Pacers pulled off one of the most stunning comebacks in NBA playoff history, beating the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.
A Game That Shocked Madison Square Garden
On Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers stunned the basketball world by defeating the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With just under three minutes left in regulation, the Knicks were leading by 14 points. The atmosphere inside “The World’s Most Famous Arena” was electric, and fans were already celebrating.
But then, everything changed.
Aaron Nesmith Ignites the Comeback
Aaron Nesmith, aged 25 and a former first-round pick of the Boston Celtics, turned into a three-point machine. He knocked down five three-pointers in the final moments of regulation, breathing new life into the Pacers’ hopes.
Key Moments from Nesmith:
Hit 5 three-pointers in less than 3 minutes.
Scored 30 points total, shooting 8-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Brought the Pacers back from the brink of defeat.
Haliburton’s Heroic Buzzer Beater
With just seconds on the clock and the Pacers trailing by two, Tyrese Haliburton stepped up. He launched a deep jumper that bounced high and somehow dropped through the net at the buzzer. The crowd was left stunned — but the drama wasn’t over.
The referees reviewed the shot and ruled it a two-pointer, not a game-winning three. That meant overtime.
Overtime Domination
Once the game entered overtime, Indiana stayed in control. Haliburton continued to lead with confidence, while the Knicks struggled to regain momentum.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Performance:
31 points and 11 assists.
Cool under pressure, took command in clutch moments.
Drew comparisons to Pacers legend Reggie Miller.
Reggie Miller Flashback: The Choke Gesture
After hitting his dramatic shot, Haliburton made a bold move — the famous “choke” gesture, reminiscent of Reggie Miller’s 1994 moment aimed at Knicks superfan Spike Lee.
“It felt right at the time,” Haliburton later said. “If I’d known it was a two, I wouldn’t have done it.”
Even Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle brushed it off, saying it was an emotional moment and not a big deal.
Another Historic Comeback for Indiana
The Pacers have now pulled off three near-impossible playoff comebacks in the 2025 postseason alone.
Historic Feats:
Only 4 NBA teams since 1996-97 have won a playoff game when trailing by 7+ points in the final 50 seconds. Indiana has done it three times this year.
Beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Round 1 after trailing in overtime.
Defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, the East’s top seed, in Round 2 despite trailing with 46 seconds left.
First team in 971 playoff games over 27 years to win after being down 14 points with under 2:50 left.
Knicks Show Respect Despite Painful Loss
Despite leading for most of the game, the Knicks couldn’t close it out. Star player Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 43 points, but admitted they fell short in the clutch.
“They closed the game out like they’ve been doing all playoffs,” Brunson said. “Just not really good on our part.”
No Time for History Lessons
While comparisons to the historic Pacers-Knicks rivalry from the 1990s were unavoidable, Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns — who scored 35 points and grabbed 12 rebounds — was focused on the present.
“We’re not here to repeat history. We’re here to make our own.”
What’s Next?
The Pacers now lead the series 1-0, and Game 2 will take place on Friday night in New York.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton | 31 | 11 | — | Clutch performance, late-game hero |
| Aaron Nesmith | 30 | — | — | 5 threes in final 3 minutes |
| Jalen Brunson (Knicks) | 43 | — | — | Game-high scorer |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 35 | — | 12 | Strong performance despite loss |
Conclusion
This Game 1 thriller was more than just a win — it was a statement. The Indiana Pacers have proven they’re never out of a game, and they’ve now taken the upper hand in a heated series.
Knicks fans will be hoping for redemption in Game 2, but if this series continues at this pace, we’re in for an unforgettable ride.
Sources:
Postgame interviews from CBS Sports
Indiana Pacers press release