In Game 2 of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks, currently ranked second, mounted a comeback after trailing by double digits at halftime thanks to the efforts of All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson, who suffered an apparent foot injury early in the game, returned for the second half and received rapturous ‘MVP’ chants from the home crowd. The Knicks, already missing key players such as Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanović, and Mitchell Robinson due to season-ending injuries, faced a concerning situation when Brunson was substituted out just over eight minutes into the game. However, Brunson’s return helped the Knicks win the third quarter by 18 points, with every starting player scoring in double figures. The final score was 130-121 in favor of the Knicks, with Josh Hart playing every minute of the game. Indiana’s All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton scored 34 points in the losing effort, while former Knick Obi Toppin contributed 20 points off the bench. The Pacers, ranked sixth, previously eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, but without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo throughout the series. Indiana’s head coach, Rick Carlisle, expressed frustration regarding a contentious decision late in the fourth quarter, resulting in his eventual ejection from the game. The series continues with Game 3 scheduled for Friday in Indianapolis.
In another development, during the game, fans at Madison Square Garden directed insulting chants at Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who has a tumultuous past with Knicks supporters and was serving as a commentator for TNT Sports.
Leave a Reply