New York, NY, May 24, 2025 – The New York Knicks find themselves in an unprecedented 0-2 hole against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome in this stage of the playoffs. Following a heart-wrenching 114-109 loss in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, the Knicks face a daunting challenge as the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3 on Sunday.
The Knicks, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 after a dominant 4-2 series win over the Boston Celtics, squandered a golden opportunity to take control of the series. Game 1 saw them blow a 14-point lead with 2:51 remaining, becoming the first team in 1,415 playoff games since 1998 to lose after leading by nine or more points in the final minute, per Elias Sports. Game 2 was equally agonizing, with the Knicks trailing by 10 points with under three minutes left, only to mount a furious comeback that fell short when Jalen Brunson missed a game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds remaining.
Indiana’s Pascal Siakam was unstoppable, erupting for 39 points on 23 shots, while Tyrese Haliburton’s second-half surge, including clutch three-pointers, sealed the Pacers’ 2-0 lead. The Knicks’ defense faltered, particularly against Indiana’s three-point shooting, with the Pacers hitting 13 of 30 attempts (43%). Karl-Anthony Towns struggled defensively, with Indiana shooting 50% from deep when he was on the court compared to 33.3% when he was off.
Coach Tom Thibodeau pointed to defensive lapses as the critical issue, noting, “We didn’t do what we needed to do; otherwise, we’d be talking about a different ballgame.” Backup center Mitchell Robinson provided a spark with 16 first-half minutes, including a massive block on Haliburton, but appeared to tweak his ankle, limiting his effectiveness late. His 29 minutes were the second-most he’s played all season, raising concerns about his durability against Indiana’s relentless tempo.
Historically, no team has rallied from an 0-2 deficit in the Conference Finals, with the Knicks now facing a 0-1,414 record in such scenarios, compounded by their unprecedented Game 1 collapse. X posts reflect the grim sentiment, with user @measles noting, “Knicks have never won a series down 2-0.” Despite their resilience in overcoming 20-point deficits against the Celtics earlier in the playoffs, the Knicks’ defensive struggles and inability to close games have left them on the brink.
As the series heads to Indiana, Thibodeau is considering lineup changes, with Robinson’s defensive presence potentially key to slowing the Pacers’ attack. Jalen Brunson, who scored nine points in the fourth quarter of Game 2, remains optimistic, stating, “There’s a lot of basketball left to be played.” However, with the Pacers riding momentum and the Knicks’ starters being outscored by 50 points this postseason, New York must find answers quickly to avoid an early exit.