The Indiana Pacers delivered one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent Eastern Conference Finals history, erasing a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden.
The unlikely hero? Aaron Nesmith, whose fourth-quarter shooting barrage transformed what appeared to be a comfortable Knicks victory into a psychological gut punch that could define this series.
Brunson Dominates Early, Knicks Control Tempo
Jalen Brunson was magnificent through three quarters, carving up Indiana’s defense for 41 points with his signature blend of craft and aggression. The Knicks controlled every facet of the game, leading 69-62 at halftime and extending their advantage to 17 points early in the fourth quarter.
New York’s suffocating defense disrupted Indiana’s rhythm while their balanced offensive attack seemed to have the Pacers on the ropes. Madison Square Garden was electric, sensing a statement Game 1 victory was within reach.
The Nesmith Nuclear Option
Then Aaron Nesmith caught fire.
In a blistering stretch of fourth-quarter minutes, the Pacers forward unleashed a three-point barrage that left the Knicks defense scrambling and the Garden crowd stunned into silence. Shot after shot found nothing but net as Nesmith displayed the kind of unconscious shooting that can flip series momentum in real time.
With each make, Indiana’s confidence surged while New York’s composure cracked. The Knicks’ defensive rotations broke down, their ball movement stagnated, and their 17-point cushion evaporated under the heat of Nesmith’s shooting display.
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam provided crucial support in the comeback, but it was Nesmith’s long-range precision that broke the Knicks’ spirit and forced overtime.
Overtime: Pacers Complete the Heist
By overtime, the psychological damage was done. Playing on tired legs with frayed nerves, through foul trouble, lapses in defense, and turnovers the Knicks couldn’t recapture their early dominance. Indiana, riding pure emotion and efficiency, controlled the extra period to complete one of the most improbable playoff comebacks in franchise history.
The Bigger Picture
This wasn’t just a Game 1 victory—it was a psychological earthquake. The Knicks held complete control for 36 minutes only to watch it slip away in the most dramatic fashion possible. For a team that had been building confidence throughout the playoffs, this collapse could linger.
Meanwhile, the Pacers proved they possess the resilience and firepower to overcome any deficit. When role players like Nesmith can explode for game-changing performances, no lead is safe against this Indiana squad.
The series now shifts with completely altered momentum. The Pacers head home knowing they can steal games in hostile environments, while the Knicks must grapple with letting a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.
Game 1 didn’t just set the tone—it may have changed everything.