In a match that will be etched in the memory of fans, the Indiana Pacers achieved an epic comeback to defeat the New York Knicks with a score of 138-135 in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The game, played on Wednesday night, was full of emotions and unexpected twists, culminating in a stellar performance by Tyrese Haliburton, who tied the score with a long-range shot as regulation time expired.
A Historic Comeback
The Knicks, who had a 14-point lead with less than three minutes left in regulation, saw the Pacers, led by Aaron Nesmith, initiate a spectacular comeback with several consecutive three-pointers.
Haliburton, hoping to seal the victory, executed a crucial shot that tied the game, unleashing euphoria on the court. The player even made a provocative gesture towards the fans, recalling Reggie Miller’s iconic celebration.
In overtime, Andrew Nembhard scored the basket that ultimately gave the Pacers the lead, securing a victory that seemed unthinkable minutes before.
According to specialized analyses, the Knicks’ probability of victory reached a maximum of 99.8% when they were leading by 14 points in the final quarter.
Sports Analysis
Before Wednesday, teams trailing by nine or more points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or in overtime in the playoffs had a record of 0-1,414 since 1998. Now, that record is 1-1,414.
The second game of this series will be played on Friday night.
Haliburton finished the game with 31 points and 11 assists, while Nesmith contributed 30 points, with an impressive 8-of-9 from three-point range.
It was an exciting start to the ninth playoff matchup between these historic rivals of the 1990s, although with a disappointing end for the Knicks in their first Eastern Conference Finals game since the year 2000.
Jalen Brunson scored 43 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 35 points and 12 rebounds, but the Knicks couldn’t hold the lead they built while Brunson was on the bench due to foul trouble in the final quarter, suffering an unprecedented postseason collapse.
Teams that led by at least 14 points in the final 2:45 of the fourth quarter had a record of 994-0 since detailed play-by-play records began in the 1997-98 season.
The Pacers had already defeated the Knicks in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden last year, overcoming a team that had been decimated by injuries.
This victory was completely different, with the Pacers appearing to be out of sorts after the Knicks scored a 14-0 run, with Brunson on the bench, which gave New York a 108-92 lead.
Even after Nesmith started making baskets, the Knicks seemed safe when a Brunson three-pointer put the score at 119-105 with 2:51 left. However, Nesmith would score consecutive three-pointers and both free throws after the Knicks intentionally fouled him, giving Indiana the opportunity to tie with Haliburton’s shot.
