NY Knicks Meltdown On Mother's Day Against Indiana Pacers
It's one of those NBA Playoff losses that will leave you feeling sorry for the losing team.
The New York Knicks have seemingly fallen back to earth in their semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers.
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and the rest of NY's crew suffered a meltdown, sinking to a 28-point deficit at the half against Indy's fast offense.
The fatigue caught up to the Knicks, who lost 121-89 on Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 12: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 12, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 12: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers slam dunk the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Indy's win in Game 4 tied the series (2-2) — punching NY back after the Knicks took a 2-0 series advantage.
New York's Villanova three (Brunson, Hart, DiVi) have been box office to start the postseason. The Knicks lost role player O.G. Anunoby to injury in Game 3, which rippled into New York's flat Game 4 performance. After the game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau tried easing the blame off losing Anunoby, keeping the blame on the team by reminding reporters that New York played without Anunoby to start the season.
The Nova 3 combined for 27 points in the Mother's Day loss.
At this point in the series, the Knicks' greatest weapon has been a tenacity that responds to a fast-paced Indiana team. Indy kept the pressure on New York throughout the entire series; the only difference in Games 1 and 2 was that the Knicks always managed to punch back.
In Game 4, the Knicks got pummeled and nearly tapped out by halftime.
The Knicks bench contributed to the loss, putting up a measly performance outside of reserve guard Alec Burks (20 points). However, the bench couldn't score in the third quarter, getting outscored by Indy 17-0, which sunk the Knicks before the start of the fourth quarter.
The Pacers have been waiting for this momentum. Games 1 and 2 were deflating for the Pacers based on their relentless attack despite Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell's inconsistencies.
Pacers role players like Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam have put up serious muscle in wins and losses this series.
"Every game is monumentally important," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 4. "Each game has been different in some shape or form."
New York faces major heat from the hometown crowd if they drop Game 5 at MSG.
A Game 5 loss could lead to an all-time meltdown in Knicks history.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 12: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
"We're a team that's only halfway to their goal," Carlisle added.
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