The New York Knicks find themselves in a tight spot in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, trailing the Indiana Pacers 2–0 after dropping both games at Madison Square Garden. With the series now shifting to Indiana, the pressure is mounting for Tom Thibodeau’s squad to bounce back and avoid a potential sweep. Despite the grim outlook, the Knicks are leaning on one surprising postseason trend to fuel their hope.
It’s usually the home team that holds the upper hand in the playoffs, but this Knicks group has flipped that script. New York is 5–1 on the road in these playoffs—remarkably better than their 3–5 home record. As veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein noted, the Pacers have also had success on the road, but it’s New York’s road resilience that gives them a statistical edge heading into Game 3.
Even with the numbers offering a sliver of optimism, frustrations are bubbling within the team. Game 2 was another missed opportunity in front of the home crowd, but veteran big man Karl-Anthony Towns continues to push a positive narrative. “What did I tell y’all about the word history? I’m not here to repeat it—we’re here to make it,” Towns said, per a post by the account Oh No He Didn’t on X. “If I’ve learned anything, especially last year, as quick as you win two games is as quick as you can lose two games.”
Towns’ leadership was put to the test late in Game 2 when he was benched for a critical stretch of the fourth quarter. The move sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, raising questions about Thibodeau’s rotation. The coach addressed the decision in his NBA postgame remarks, offering a clear explanation.
“We got in a hole, and then the group that was in there gave us a chance,” Thibodeau said via SNY Knicks. “So we were just riding that. We were just searching for a way to win. It comes down to a couple things. Going into the fourth quarter, it’s a tied ballgame. We’ve just got to make better plays—more winning plays.”
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Towns finished the night with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three, and pulled down seven rebounds in just 20 minutes of action. While his performance was efficient, it was Jalen Brunson once again who carried the offensive load, delivering 36 points and 11 assists in a valiant but futile effort.
The Pacers, meanwhile, continue to thrive in the open floor. Led by Pascal Siakam’s explosive 39-point performance, Indiana overwhelmed the Knicks with pace and execution. As the series heads to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the pressure is now squarely on New York to prove its road magic isn’t a fluke—and that this run isn’t over just yet.
