2025 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Stage Gritty Comeback in Game 3 to Keep Eastern Conference Finals Hopes Alive
Game Recap: Knicks 106, Pacers 100
On May 25, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the New York Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, cutting Indiana’s series lead to 2-1. Karl-Anthony Towns’ 20 fourth-quarter points and Jalen Brunson’s clutch free throws powered a 36-20 final frame, flipping the script on Indiana’s comeback wins in Games 1 and 2.
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First Half: Pacers’ Pace Dominates
- Pacers’ Hot Start: Pascal Siakam scored 17 points in the first quarter, including Indiana’s first 11, while Tyrese Haliburton added 8 points and 4 assists. The Pacers led 30-26 after one and 56-40 at halftime, with all 10 players scoring.
- Knicks’ Struggles: New York shot 34.8% from the field, with Towns picking up his third foul after a successful Pacers challenge. Turnovers and Indiana’s transition game (12 fast-break points) exposed the Knicks’ slow pace.
- Key Stat: Indiana’s 2-of-9 three-point shooting was offset by 8-of-8 free throws, per IndyStar.
Second Half: Knicks Fight Back
- Third Quarter: The Pacers pushed their lead to 20 behind Aaron Nesmith’s three-pointer and Myles Turner’s defense. The Knicks’ offense sputtered, with Brunson in foul trouble.
- Fourth Quarter Turnaround: Towns erupted for 20 points, including 3-of-7 from three, sparking a 12-2 run. His 20 points were the second-most in a playoff fourth quarter by a Knick since 1998. Brunson’s 23 points, including two free throws with 8 seconds left, sealed the win. The Pacers shot 5-of-25 (20%) from three and had zero assists in the fourth, a season first.
- Bench Battle: The Knicks’ bench, led by Miles McBride and Josh Hart (18 combined points), matched Indiana’s reserves, a rare feat given New York’s league-low 21.7 bench points per game.
Key Matchups and X-Factors
- Brunson vs. Haliburton: Haliburton’s 20 points and 11 assists kept Indiana alive, but Brunson’s clutch 12-footer and free throws (plus-35 clutch plus-minus) won out.
- Towns and Robinson: Towns’ 24 points and 15 rebounds, plus Robinson’s 8 rebounds, exploited Indiana’s league-worst 16.2 second-chance points allowed.
- Pacers’ Depth: Indiana’s 10-man rotation faltered, with bench players like Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard going minus-23 combined. Nesmith’s 35-for-65 playoff three-point shooting remains a threat.
RELATED:Pacers Dominate Knicks at Home, Take 3-1 Series Lead
What’s Next
- Game 4: May 27, 2025, 8 p.m. ET, TNT, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A Knicks win ties the series; a Pacers win pushes New York to the brink.
- Series Outlook: Indiana’s 69% win probability hinges on their depth and home crowd, but the Knicks’ rebounding edge (30.8% offensive rebound rate) and defensive adjustments (limiting Indiana to 12 fast-break points) suggest a six- or seven-game series.
- Fan Sentiment: X posts highlight the series’ intensity, with three games decided by 14 total points, fueling anticipation for more drama.
Conclusion
The Knicks’ Game 3 comeback, their third from a 16-plus-point deficit this postseason, keeps their Finals hopes alive. Towns’ redemption and Brunson’s clutch play countered Indiana’s pace, but the Pacers’ depth and Haliburton’s playmaking remain dangerous. As this historic rivalry reignites, Game 4 will test both teams’ resolve in a series that’s as close as it gets.
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