Knicks dominate Pacers 123-98 in home opener with Towns and Brunson

On Friday night in New York, Karl-Anthony Towns delivered an impressive performance in his debut, leading the Knicks to a resounding 123-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Towns scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while teammate Jalen Brunson contributed 26 points. This game marked an important bounce-back for the Knicks after a disappointing loss to the Boston Celtics in their season opener. The victory showcased the effectiveness of the Knicks’ revamped roster following key trades for Towns and fellow player Mikal Bridges. The Pacers struggled significantly, with star point guard Tyrese Haliburton failing to score and missing all seven of his three-point attempts. This was in stark contrast to their offensive prowess from the previous season, where they set records for field goal shooting during the playoffs. The Knicks' defense played a crucial role in limiting the Pacers to just 3 for 30 on three-point attempts, a dramatic turnaround after their record in the previous game against Boston. A pivotal moment came when the Knicks, leading by just one point in the first half, surged ahead with a 25-10 run while Brunson orchestrated the offense effectively. This performance not only highlighted the potential of the Knicks under their new roster but also raised questions about the Pacers’ ability to perform consistently despite their offensive history. Looking ahead, both teams have upcoming home games, with the Pacers set to play against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Knicks facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both encounters will be crucial as the teams seek to establish their seasons on solid footing.