Indiana Puts One Foot in the NBA Finals Door With Game 4 Win
The Indiana Pacers took control of the Eastern Conference Finals after a 130-121 win over the New York Knicks, grabbing a 3-1 lead that suddenly turns this series from competitive to nearly out of reach for New York. Tyrese Haliburton played like the brightest star in the building, notching a triple-double that left Madison Square Garden faithful and viewers alike shaking their heads in appreciation. Aaron Nesmith made his presence felt, pushing through an ankle injury to chip in at both ends of the floor. This wasn’t just another playoff victory—it was a showcase of Indiana’s chemistry and basketball IQ when it mattered most.
From the opening whistle, the Pacers set a new tempo with a relentless 13-4 run. They caught New York flat-footed, speeding ahead in transition and exposing every defensive gap. Haliburton’s vision was on full display, slicing apart the Knicks with quick decisions and precise passing. Indiana didn’t let up; every run fueled their confidence, and every stop made the Knicks' comeback hopes look less likely.
Knicks’ Adjustments Fall Short Against Indiana’s Depth
For Knicks fans, hope wasn’t completely lost—they’ve gotten used to double-digit comebacks in this year’s playoffs. But this night, that spark never really caught fire. Karl-Anthony Towns, who torched the Pacers for 20 points in the last fourth quarter, got tangled up in foul trouble early and just couldn’t get into gear. His presence limped along while Indiana continued to spread the ball and keep the scoreboard ticking.
In search of a new formula, coach Tom Thibodeau put Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup in place of Josh Hart. The switch was geared toward rim protection and rebounding, but the Pacers’ balanced attack was too much. Robinson gave them more size, but Haliburton, Nesmith, and the rest of the Pacers kept finding cracks and converting in the paint, on the break, and beyond the arc.
New York tried to muster another one of their late surges, the kind that flipped games in earlier rounds, but Indiana’s poise blunted every push. The Pacers’ supporting cast stepped up throughout: quick hands forced turnovers, and shooters cashed in when the Knicks collapsed inside. Each Indiana bucket made the Knicks' job harder, and the crowd grew quieter as the game ticked toward its conclusion.
Indiana’s run through this postseason has been efficient—they’ve shut down both of their previous series in just five games. Now, the Pacers have set up another opportunity for a quick closeout with Game 5 looming on Saturday. New York must dig deep and find a way to change the series narrative, or risk watching Indiana punch its ticket to the NBA Finals at their expense. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the Knicks try to stave off elimination in front of their home fans.
