Every now and then, a basketball match comes along that doesn’t just entertain, it captivates. Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks was exactly that.
As fans across the UK tuned in during the early hours, they witnessed one of the most dramatic postseason clashes in recent memory.
Played at the iconic Madison Square Garden, the matchup brought together two well-balanced teams and two superstar performances.
The Pacers scraped a thrilling 138-135 overtime win, thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s game-tying jumper and outstanding composure during clutch moments. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson poured in a jaw-dropping 43 points, yet even that wasn’t enough to carry them over the line.
This blog dives deep into the stats, player performances, and the subtle factors that tilted the game in Indiana’s favour.
How Did Tyrese Haliburton’s Game-Winning Performance Impact the Pacers?
Tyrese Haliburton’s leadership and execution in Game 1 were nothing short of elite. He wasn’t just scoring, he was orchestrating every possession with composure and intelligence. With 31 points, 12-of-23 shooting from the field, and 7 assists, he played like a veteran well beyond his years.
Key Highlights from Haliburton
- Drained a buzzer-beating jumper to force overtime
- Controlled the pace with calm decision-making
- Shot 3-of-4 from the free-throw line
- Involved in critical assists late in the 4th and OT
When the Pacers needed a steady hand, Haliburton delivered. Even after missing a few deep threes late in regulation, he remained confident. His balanced blend of scoring and playmaking gave the Pacers structure in chaos.
Why It Mattered?
The Knicks had built a 17-point lead at one stage. But Haliburton kept the Pacers poised. His ability to find shooters in rhythm (notably Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner) chipped away at the deficit.
In overtime, it was Haliburton again who steadied the ship. While the Knicks struggled to protect the ball, Haliburton drove into the paint, creating space or kicking out. His shot selection, mostly mid-range and floaters, was critical in keeping the scoreboard ticking.
What Made Jalen Brunson the Top Scorer Despite the Loss?
Jalen Brunson’s offensive explosion was nothing less than heroic. He scored 43 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including 12-of-14 from the free-throw line. Every time the Pacers closed the gap, Brunson came back with a fadeaway, floater, or a tough layup through traffic.
He wasn’t just shooting, he was creating. His footwork in the paint often left defenders guessing, and his control in tight spaces gave him several easy looks. By the time the game reached overtime, Brunson had already crossed the 40-point mark.
Key Areas of Dominance
- Outstanding in isolation sets
- Relentless in attacking switches
- Created second-chance plays through smart drives
- Found teammates like Robinson and Towns with perfect timing
What makes Brunson’s stat line even more impressive is that he did it against a Pacers defence that often doubled him or forced him to go left. Despite all this pressure, he maintained a high field goal percentage and kept his team in the game.
Who Had the Edge in the Paint – Pacers or Knicks?
The battle inside the paint was one of the most fascinating subplots of the night. On paper, the Knicks had the edge with 62 points in the paint compared to the Pacers’ 50. Yet, the outcome told a more layered story.
Interior Breakdown
| Stat | Indiana Pacers | New York Knicks |
| Points in the Paint | 50 | 62 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 11 | 13 |
| Blocks | 3 | 8 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 28 | 33 |
| Second-Chance Points | Moderate | High |
What Happened?
The Knicks leveraged their size, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, who attacked the rim relentlessly. Robinson’s alley-oop dunks and put-backs added quick points.
For Indiana, Myles Turner was key. Though slightly outmuscled, he timed his contests well and hit big mid-range shots to pull New York’s bigs out of the lane.
Pacers vs Knicks Match Player Stats
This matchup was a statistical masterpiece, both teams shot exactly 51% from the field, making it one of the rare playoff games with such efficient offence on both sides.
Team Shooting Summary
| Category | Pacers | Knicks |
| Field Goal % | 51% | 51% |
| 3-Point % | 41% | 32% |
| Free Throw % | 75% | 70% |
| Turnovers | 7 | 15 |
| Total Rebounds | 39 | 46 |
| Assists | 26 | 24 |
The three-point advantage played a crucial role for Indiana, with Nesmith, Nembhard, and Haliburton all connecting from deep during high-pressure moments.
On the other hand, turnovers killed the Knicks. They had 15 total, many coming in the final quarter and overtime. These unforced errors led directly to transition buckets for Indiana.
Why Was Turnover Differential a Game-Changer?
Turnovers were the Achilles’ heel for the Knicks. Despite leading in rebounds and blocks, they gave away possession 15 times, more than double the Pacers’ 7 turnovers.
How This Affected Momentum?
- Knicks lost 27 points off turnovers, compared to Indiana’s 4
- Key errors by Towns and Hart in the final minutes of regulation
- McBride and Anunoby struggled under Indiana’s full-court press
- Transition defence was exposed multiple times due to live-ball giveaways
This lapse allowed Indiana to stay within striking distance and take control during OT. Turnovers weren’t just stat-sheet fluff, they were decisive.
Who Contributed the Most Off the Bench for Both Teams?
The benches played a less flashy but equally vital role. Indiana’s depth showed more impact, especially in stretches where the starters rested or struggled.
Pacers’ Key Bench Contributors
- T.J. McConnell: Energised the second unit with 9 points and lockdown defence
- Obi Toppin: Provided bursts of offence inside
- Thomas Bryant: Cleaned up missed shots and earned crucial trips to the line
Knicks’ Key Bench Players
- Miles McBride: Hit some perimeter shots but struggled defensively
- Josh Hart: Played with hustle but committed crucial turnovers
- Cameron Payne: Shot inconsistently and couldn’t stretch the floor
Indiana’s bench outscored and outperformed New York’s, helping to maintain intensity and pace throughout the game.
How Did the Starters Compare in Minutes and Efficiency?
The starters for both teams logged heavy minutes, especially in an overtime battle. However, efficiency varied greatly.
Starter Highlights
- Haliburton (IND): 31 pts, 12/23 FG, 7 assists
- Turner (IND): 20+ pts with 2 blocks
- Brunson (NYK): 43 pts, 15/25 FG
- Towns (NYK): Hot start but faded late
Knicks’ starters played slightly more minutes but struggled in defensive rotations and closing out shooters, which allowed Indiana’s spacing to work in crunch time.
What Role Did Rebounding Play in the Overtime Thriller?
Rebounding appeared to favour the Knicks (46 to Pacers’ 39), but it didn’t translate to a win. Many of New York’s boards came in the early stages.
In contrast, Indiana timed their rebounds better, especially in the final minutes and during overtime. Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard had key defensive boards that led to transition offence.
The offensive rebound count was close, but the Pacers turned theirs into more efficient scoring possessions.
Did the Defensive Plays Shift Momentum During Key Moments?
Yes, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Pacers’ defence turned aggressive after Brunson’s hot start, with key blocks and timely switches disrupting New York’s rhythm.
Defensive Highlights
- Myles Turner had multiple blocks in crunch time
- Aaron Nesmith forced bad shots and two key turnovers
- Siakam challenged Towns at the rim, forcing off-balance attempts
Meanwhile, the Knicks struggled with help defence. They left shooters like Nesmith and Nembhard too open, allowing Indiana to pull away in overtime.
How Did Both Teams Perform Across the Quarters and Overtime?
| Quarter | Indiana Pacers | New York Knicks |
| Q1 | 34 | 36 |
| Q2 | 28 | 33 |
| Q3 | 25 | 21 |
| Q4 | 38 | 35 |
| OT | 13 | 10 |
| Total | 138 | 135 |
The Knicks led at halftime by 7 points. However, the third quarter saw Indiana fight back, and the fourth quarter exploded into an end-to-end scoring frenzy. The Pacers tied the game with Haliburton’s buzzer-beater, and outscored the Knicks in OT.
Conclusion: A Thriller to Remember
The Indiana Pacers walked away with a memorable 138-135 overtime victory, not just through skill, but by executing during the most crucial moments.
From Tyrese Haliburton’s heroics to the disciplined bench unit, Indiana showed they were more than underdogs, they were a unit ready for the Finals spotlight.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson’s 43 points will be remembered, but so will the 15 turnovers that cost them Game 1.
This match set the tone for a high-stakes series, with both teams knowing what’s at stake.
FAQs
How many points did Jalen Brunson score in Game 1 of the 2025 East Finals?
Jalen Brunson scored 43 points on 15-of-25 shooting.
Who hit the game-tying shot to force overtime?
Tyrese Haliburton hit the buzzer-beating jumper that sent the game into OT.
What was the final score of Pacers vs Knicks Game 1?
The final score was Indiana Pacers 138, New York Knicks 135 after overtime.
Which team had more rebounds in Game 1?
The Knicks had 46 total rebounds compared to the Pacers’ 39.
How many turnovers did each team commit?
The Pacers had 7 turnovers, while the Knicks had 15.
Who led the Pacers in scoring?
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 31 points.
What was the field goal percentage for both teams?
Both teams shot 51% from the field in Game 1.
