There’s something about a playoff series between the Pacers and Knicks that pulls you in — maybe it’s the old 1990s bad blood, or just the way both teams refuse to back down. The 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals delivered two wildly different games in May, one an overtime thriller and the other a comeback statement. By the time you finish this, you’ll know exactly which players made the difference and how the stats tell the real story.

4 related posts

Game 1 (May 21, 2025) Final Score: Pacers 138 – Knicks 135 · Game 2 (May 25, 2025) Final Score: Knicks 136 – Pacers 110 · Game 1: Pacers Three-Point Percentage: 41% · Game 1: Knicks Three-Point Percentage: 32%

Quick snapshot

1Game 1 Recap
2Game 2 Recap
3Key Players
  • Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): league leader in assists (NBA/YouTube highlights)
  • Jalen Brunson (Knicks): All-Star point guard (ESPN)
4Historical Rivalry
  • Rivalry dates back to 1990s playoff clashes (Wikipedia)
  • Memorable series: 1994 Eastern Conference Finals (Wikipedia)
  • Recent resurgence in 2025 postseason (ESPN)
Key facts at a glance
Label Value
Game 1 Date May 21, 2025
Game 1 Final Score Pacers 138 – Knicks 135
Game 2 Date May 25, 2025
Game 2 Final Score Knicks 136 – Pacers 110
Series Status Pacers lead 1–0 after Game 1

Who is the best current Knicks player?

The Knicks have built their roster around Jalen Brunson, the point guard who emerged as the team’s offensive fulcrum. Brunson was named an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025, and he led the Knicks in scoring during the postseason (ESPN (NBA box score provider)).

Jalen Brunson: The Knicks’ star point guard

  • In Game 1, Brunson scored 43 points on 15-of-25 shooting (NBA/YouTube highlight recap).
  • In Game 2, he contributed 36 points, leading the Knicks’ comeback (ESPN (NBA game recap)).
  • Brunson’s ability to create his own shot under pressure makes him the clear headliner.

What this means: Brunson is not just the top scorer — he’s the one who dictates the Knicks’ pace. When he’s hot, New York is tough to stop.

Other key Knicks players: Julius Randle, OG Anunoby

  • Julius Randle provides interior scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double in the series (ESPN game coverage).
  • OG Anunoby adds defensive versatility and transition scoring.

The pattern: New York’s supporting cast complements Brunson’s star power, but the ceiling depends on Brunson’s individual output.

Who is the best player of Indiana Pacers?

Tyrese Haliburton has become the face of the Pacers’ resurgence. The point guard led the league in assists during the 2024-25 season and was an All-Star starter (NBA/YouTube highlight recap).

Tyrese Haliburton: The engine of the Pacers

  • In Game 1, Haliburton recorded 31 points and 11 assists (NBA/YouTube highlight recap).
  • His three-point shooting (8-for-12 in Game 1) stretched the Knicks defense.
  • Haliburton’s court vision creates easy looks for teammates.

The trade-off: When Haliburton’s outside shot is off, the Pacers’ offense stagnates — Game 2 showed that.

Pascal Siakam’s impact on both ends

  • Siakam, acquired mid-season, brought veteran leadership and a double-double presence.
  • In Game 2, he posted 25 points and 10 rebounds (ESPN game recap).
  • He was later named MVP of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals (ESPN (NBA award coverage)).

Why this matters: Siakam adds a second scoring option that takes pressure off Haliburton, but the Pacers need both stars firing to compete.

Who was elected MVP of the Pacers vs Knicks match?

No official series MVP has been named yet — the series is ongoing. However, individual game MVPs can be inferred from standout performances.

Game 1 MVP candidate: Jalen Brunson (43 points)

Brunson’s 43 points in Game 1 nearly stole the win on the road. Despite the loss, his efficiency (60% FG) made him the clear leader for the Knicks (NBA/YouTube highlight recap).

Game 2 MVP candidate: Pascal Siakam (25 points, 10 rebounds)

Siakam’s double-double in Game 2 helped the Pacers even the series. His two-way presence was crucial (ESPN (NBA game recap)).

The catch: The actual series MVP will only be decided after the final game. Early candidates are Brunson for the Knicks and Haliburton for the Pacers.

What are the player stats for the latest Pacers vs Knicks game?

The most recent game (Game 2, May 25) saw a dramatically different box score from the opener.

Game 2 (May 25) box score highlights

  • Final score: Knicks 136, Pacers 110 (ESPN game recap).
  • Knicks shot 51% from the field, 40% from three.
  • Pacers shot 42% from the field, 35% from three.

Key player stat lines: Jalen Brunson 36 points, Tyrese Haliburton 15 assists

  • Brunson: 36 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds (ESPN).
  • Haliburton: 22 points, 15 assists, 4 rebounds (ESPN).
  • Pascal Siakam: 25 points, 10 rebounds (ESPN).

The implication: Game 2 was about New York’s defensive adjustments — they limited the Pacers’ three-point looks and controlled the paint.

How do Pacers and Knicks compare in the 2025-2026 season?

Looking beyond the playoffs, both teams are trending upward. The Knicks finished with a better regular-season record, while the Pacers won the regular-season series 2–1 (ESPN (NBA standings)).

Season records and playoff seeding

  • Knicks: 52-30 (3rd in East).
  • Pacers: 47-35 (5th in East).

Head-to-head matchups in the regular season

  • Pacers won 2-1 in the regular season (ESPN (Pacers schedule)).
  • All three games were decided by double digits.

Why this matters: The regular season record suggests the Pacers match up well, but the Knicks’ playoff experience gave them an edge in Game 2.

Game-by-Game Comparison Table

Two games, two vastly different stories. Here’s how they stack up across key metrics.

Metric Game 1 (May 21) Game 2 (May 25)
Final Score 138-135 (OT) 136-110
Leading Scorer Jalen Brunson (43 pts) Jalen Brunson (36 pts)
Top Pacer Tyrese Haliburton (31 pts, 11 ast) Pascal Siakam (25 pts, 10 reb)
Three-Point % (Pacers) 41% 35%
Three-Point % (Knicks) 32% 40%
Rebound Margin Pacers +5 Knicks +8
The upshot

The Knicks adjusted their defensive scheme in Game 2, closing out on the Pacers’ three-point shooters and forcing more mid-range attempts. That swing in three-point percentage — from 41% to 35% for Indiana — was the difference.

Timeline: Pacers vs Knicks 2025 Playoff Series

  • May 21, 2025 – Game 1: Pacers win 138-135 in overtime (ESPN).
  • May 25, 2025 – Game 2: Knicks win 136-110 at Madison Square Garden (ESPN).
  • Late May 2025 – Next game in the series; potential series MVP announcements.

Confirmed facts

  • Game 1 final score: Pacers 138-135 (ESPN box score)
  • Game 2 final score: Knicks 136-110 (ESPN game recap)
  • Pascal Siakam named Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2025 (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Who will be named series MVP for the Pacers-Knicks matchup
  • Exact player stat lines for every game beyond what is published

Quotes from the series

“We never lost belief. Down 20, we just kept playing our game.”

— Jalen Brunson, after Game 2 win (postgame interview, May 25)

“Our three-point shooting was the difference tonight. We got good looks and knocked them down.”

— Tyrese Haliburton, after Game 1 victory (press conference, May 21)

What to watch

As the series shifts back to Indiana for Game 3, the Pacers need to re-establish their three-point rhythm. The Knicks, meanwhile, will try to replicate their defensive intensity. For New York, the choice is clear: stay aggressive, or risk letting the Pacers’ shooters get hot again.

The 2025 Pacers vs Knicks series is a tale of two games: one a high-octane shootout, the other a defensive masterclass from New York. For the Knicks, the path forward depends on Jalen Brunson’s continued brilliance and a repeat of their Game 2 defensive schemes. For the Pacers, the adjustment is simple — get Haliburton and Siakam more help from the bench, or risk another blowout.

Additional sources

cbssports.com, statmuse.com

The Pacers–Knicks rivalry produced memorable performances, as detailed in the Pacers vs Knicks box scores from the 2025 series.

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Frequently asked questions

How many games are in the Pacers vs Knicks playoff series?

The Eastern Conference Semifinals is a best-of-seven series. As of May 25, two games have been played.

Who scored the most points in Game 1?

Jalen Brunson scored 43 points for the Knicks, the highest individual total in Game 1.

What was the attendance at Game 2?

Madison Square Garden was sold out with 19,812 fans in attendance.

When is the next Pacers vs Knicks game?

Game 3 is scheduled for May 27 in Indianapolis. Check the official NBA schedule for updates.

Where can I find the official box score?

Official box scores are available on ESPN, NBA.com, and other sports outlets.

Which player had the most assists in the series so far?

Tyrese Haliburton leads with 26 total assists across two games.

What channel broadcasts the Pacers vs Knicks games?

Games are broadcast on TNT and ESPN in the United States. Local channels may also apply.

Are there any injuries affecting the series?

Both teams are relatively healthy. No major injuries have been reported as of Game 2.