Pacers’ Clutch Masterclass in Game 1 Comeback vs. Knicks

Pacers’ Clutch Masterclass in Game 1 Comeback vs. Knicks

The Indiana Pacers pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping comebacks in NBA playoff history on May 21, 2025, stealing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals from the New York Knicks in a 138-135 overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden. Trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter and still down 14 with just 3:14 remaining, the Pacers defied the odds—odds that had been 994-0 against teams in such a position since the play-by-play era began in 1997. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement, a masterclass in clutch performance led by Aaron Nesmith’s scorching three-point barrage and Tyrese Haliburton’s ice-cold buzzer-beater. Let’s break down how the Pacers turned an impossible deficit into a historic victory, reshaping the narrative of this heated rivalry.

The Stage: A High-Octane Showdown

The Knicks-Pacers rivalry, steeped in history from the Reggie Miller days, promised fireworks, and Game 1 delivered. Both teams had clawed their way to the Eastern Conference Finals through resilience, with the Pacers toppling the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Knicks overcoming the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. The game was a clash of styles: Indiana’s fast-paced, free-flowing offense against New York’s gritty, deliberate attack, led by Jalen Brunson’s clutch heroics. The first half saw both teams trading blows, combining for 131 points, with the Knicks holding a seven-point edge at the break. Jalen Brunson (43 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (35 points, 12 rebounds) were dominant, while Indiana’s balanced attack kept them close, with Tyrese Haliburton already at 14 points by halftime.

The third quarter tilted firmly toward New York. With Brunson picking up his fifth foul early in the fourth, the Knicks didn’t falter. Instead, they surged, going on a 14-0 run to build a 17-point lead. Madison Square Garden was electric, fans sensing a Game 1 rout. The Pacers, meanwhile, looked disjointed, struggling to defend Brunson’s relentless drives and Towns’ versatile scoring. With 2:51 left, Brunson’s pull-up three pushed the lead to 119-105. Historically, no team had ever come back from 14 points down with so little time left in a playoff game. The Knicks were 98.7% favorites, per win probability metrics. Game over, right? Not for these Pacers.

The Spark: Aaron Nesmith’s Heat Check

Enter Aaron Nesmith, the unsung hero who turned the tide. Nesmith, acquired from Boston in 2023, had 10 points entering the fourth quarter. Over the next five minutes, he erupted for 20, including six three-pointers—an NBA playoff record for a single quarter. His first triple came with 4:45 left, cutting the deficit to 12. Then another. And another. With each shot, the Garden grew quieter, the impossible inching closer to reality. Nesmith’s confidence was infectious; he was in a zone, launching from deep with no hesitation. By the time he drained his fifth three with 34 seconds left, the score was 124-119, and the Pacers were within striking distance. His sixth, moments later, made it a one-point game. Nesmith finished with 30 points, shooting 9-for-12, including 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. “I just trusted the process and let it fly,” Nesmith said postgame, a simple explanation for an extraordinary performance.

Nesmith’s barrage wasn’t just about hot shooting; it exposed New York’s defensive lapses. The Knicks, perhaps complacent with their lead, failed to close out on Nesmith, who exploited open looks created by Indiana’s rapid ball movement. His two free throws with 12.4 seconds left brought the score to 124-123, setting the stage for the final act.

The Dagger: Haliburton’s Buzzer-Beater

With 7.3 seconds remaining, OG Anunoby’s free throw gave the Knicks a 125-123 lead. Indiana had one last chance. The ball found Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers’ All-Star point guard who’d already battled through a tough night against Mikal Bridges’ defense. Haliburton, with 31 points and 11 assists, had been clutch all postseason, hitting game-winners against Milwaukee and Cleveland. Now, with the game on the line, he delivered again. Dribbling past Mitchell Robinson, Haliburton launched a high-arcing shot from just inside the three-point line. The ball hit the rim, soared skyward, and dropped through as the buzzer sounded, tying the game at 125-125. The Garden fell silent.

Haliburton, thinking he’d hit a three, flashed Reggie Miller’s iconic choke sign toward the crowd—a nod to the Pacers legend courtside on the TNT broadcast. A review revealed his toe was on the line, making it a two-pointer, but the damage was done. The Pacers had forced overtime, a scenario no one saw coming minutes earlier. Haliburton’s shot wasn’t just clutch; it was a psychological blow, echoing Miller’s “Knick-Killer” legacy. “It felt right at the time,” Haliburton said, admitting he might not repeat the gesture after learning it was a two.

Overtime: Sealing the Deal

Overtime was a back-and-forth slugfest. The Knicks struck first, but Indiana’s depth shone through. Andrew Nembhard’s seven points, including a go-ahead jumper off a Haliburton assist, gave the Pacers a 136-135 lead with 26 seconds left. Obi Toppin, a former Knick, sealed the game with a thunderous dunk, pushing the lead to three. Brunson and Towns missed desperation threes, and the Pacers escaped with a 1-0 series lead. Indiana’s 23 points in the final 3:14 of regulation were the most in such a span in playoff history, a testament to their relentless spirit.

Why It Worked: The Pacers’ Clutch DNA

This comeback wasn’t a fluke. The Pacers have been the NBA’s best clutch team in 2025, going 30-14 in games within five points in the final five minutes, outscoring opponents by 20.9 points per 100 possessions. Their familiarity—running back the same roster from last year’s Game 7 win over the Knicks—breeds confidence. “We’ve been through everything together,” Haliburton said, crediting their resilience. Coach Rick Carlisle called clutch play “a muscle” the team has strengthened all season. Nesmith’s emergence as a flamethrower and Haliburton’s poise under pressure embody this identity.

For the Knicks, the loss stung. Brunson’s 43 points and Towns’ double-double weren’t enough, undone by turnovers (Brunson had seven) and defensive breakdowns. Coach Tom Thibodeau lamented, “No lead is safe against them.” The Knicks’ arrogance, rushing shots late, mirrored Boston’s mistakes against them in the previous round. Game 2 looms as a must-win to avoid a 2-0 deficit heading to Indiana.

The Bigger Picture

This game wasn’t just a win; it was a historic anomaly, rewriting the record books. The Pacers’ ability to flip a 17-point deficit into a victory underscores their never-say-die mentality, a trait that could carry them to the NBA Finals if their shooting stays hot. For now, they’ve stolen homecourt advantage and reignited a rivalry that burns as bright as ever. Game 2 on Friday at 8 p.m. ET promises more drama, but one thing is clear: you don’t count out these Pacers until the final buzzer.

Sources: The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, NBA.com, AP News, NBC Sports, The Ringer, CBSSports.com