The New York Knicks are in dangerous territory after dropping the first two games of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Indiana Pacers — and they’ve done so in the most deflating way possible: back-to-back home losses. A 0-2 hole is daunting in any playoff series, but it’s especially concerning for a Knicks team that prides itself on toughness, defense, and home-court advantage. Now, all of that is under question.
Game 2 was a gut punch. The Knicks had opportunities late in the fourth quarter to seal the win but fell short amid a barrage of missed shots and mental lapses. Jalen Brunson, who has been nothing short of heroic throughout the postseason, looked mortal for the first time. He shot poorly from the field and appeared to be bothered by Indiana’s increasingly physical and disciplined defensive schemes. With Brunson struggling and the supporting cast failing to step up, the Knicks offense stalled at the worst possible time.
Indiana, on the other hand, has played inspired basketball. Led by Tyrese Haliburton, whose playmaking has cut through the Knicks’ defense like a scalpel, the Pacers have used speed and spacing to expose New York’s limitations. Coach Rick Carlisle has outmaneuvered Tom Thibodeau in key stretches, pushing the pace, exploiting matchups, and keeping the Knicks guessing.
The most painful aspect of these two losses might be how winnable both games were. New York held leads in both contests and had stretches of dominance, only to let the Pacers claw back through sheer effort, execution, and superior bench play. It’s also hard to ignore how much the Knicks miss Julius Randle. His absence has left a significant void in both scoring and rebounding, placing additional pressure on Brunson and the Knicks’ relatively thin frontcourt.
History is not on New York’s side. Teams that fall behind 0-2 in a playoff series — especially after losing both games at home — rarely come back to win. According to NBA statistics, teams in this position have advanced less than 7% of the time. That’s a steep hill to climb, especially considering that the next two games shift to Indiana, where the Pacers are a confident, fast-paced team in front of a rabid home crowd.
Still, the Knicks have shown resilience all season. They’ve battled through injuries, rotations, and adversity to get to this point. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that New York has the personnel and mindset to grind their way back into the series. Thibodeau will undoubtedly look for adjustments, perhaps inserting more length or switching defensive coverages to slow Haliburton and the Pacers’ ball movement.
But the clock is ticking. Game 3 in Indiana now looms as a must-win. Another loss could spell the end of a season that once held so much promise. The Knicks have no choice but to respond — or risk becoming another footnote in playoff disappointment.
