Indiana Pacers stun Knicks in overtime comeback victory

On Wednesday night in New York, the Indiana Pacers executed a remarkable comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, shocking the New York Knicks with a final score of 138-135 in overtime. The Pacers were trailing by 17 points during the fourth quarter and even found themselves down by 14 with just 3 minutes and 14 seconds remaining. As the clock ticked down, Aaron Nesmith ignited the Pacers' offense by hitting multiple three-pointers, helping to narrow the Knicks' lead as the game approached its final moments. Tyrese Haliburton played a crucial role in the dramatic conclusion, tying the game with a long jumper that narrowly confirmed as a two-point shot, sending the game into overtime. In overtime, both teams fought hard for every point, but the Pacers outscored the Knicks 13-10 to secure their victory. The win was historic as it demonstrated the Pacers' resilience, being the first team since 1997 to achieve such a significant comeback against a double-digit fourth-quarter lead. The loss was particularly painful for the Knicks, who had a strong performance led by Jalen Brunson, who scored 43 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 35 points and 12 rebounds. Despite their effort and a double-digit lead in the final moments, New York failed to capitalize, marking a historic collapse in their playoff history. The result reaffirms the heated rivalry between these two teams, which dates back to the 1990s. Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Friday night, and both teams are poised for another intense matchup as they continue to battle for a spot in the NBA Finals. The Pacers have established themselves as a formidable playoff team this season, having now pulled off multiple thrilling comebacks. The previous playoff series between these teams also saw Indiana eliminate the Knicks last year, adding to the tension and competitive atmosphere on the court.