Spacious evening shooting for the Pacers, who scored 62% from the field and 48% from three points to inflict the Knicks’ third defeat in the last four despite Jalen Brunson’s return to the field. Tyrese Haliburton leads his team with 22 points and 12 assists, with five other players in double figures including 23 from a perfect Myles Turner (9/9 from the field) and 19 from Pascal Siakam for a victory that raises Indiana to sixth place in East.
Without Anunoby, Randle, Robinson and Hartenstein, the Knicks lack that physicality which – if healthy – will make them uncomfortable customers for everyone in the playoffs. Jalen Brunson returns after missing the game against Dallas scoring 39 even with an ankle that is not yet 100%, while Alec Burks celebrates his return to New York with 22 points and Bojan Bogdanovic scores 11 points (all in the first half) with his new shirt.