Three days after suffering an “unacceptable” home loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics, the Knicks regained confidence on Tuesday night, outlasting the Indiana Pacers, 128-115, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Here are the takeaways…
— The Knicks’ starting lineup wasn’t whole for a fourth straight game, as winger OG Anunoby (knee sprain) was ruled out prior to tip-off. While his absence was predictable — head coach Tom Thibodeau said on Monday that he still wasn’t ready for game action, it appears that Anunoby’s return isn’t far away.
— Jalen Brunson drained the game’s first bucket, but it didn’t create a chain reaction. He wrapped up the first quarter shooting a measly 1-of-7 from the floor, and the Pacers took advantage of the Knicks’ early misses and defensive lethargy. But a shift in momentum arrived late in the first quarter, as New York managed to erase a seven-point deficit and close out on an 8-0 run.
— The Pacers opened the second quarter with six straight points, but the Knicks quickly returned the favor with eight straight of their own — all while Brunson and Josh Hart sat on the bench in early foul trouble. The offensive boost conveniently came from Karl-Anthony Towns, who needed just 13 minutes to produce 19 points. In between the early scoring swings, Thibodeau received his first technical foul of the season.
— With a lack of first-half contributions from Brunson and Hart, Deuce McBride stepped up off the bench by adding 12 points with three-made threes. His efforts also helped the Knicks create their third run of eight straight points in the first half. But it was Towns who took full control, and New York extended its lead to double-digits in the closing minutes of the second. At the half, they led 68-60.
— As if Brunson’s poor first-half shooting wasn’t discouraging enough, he also couldn’t help himself from committing careless fouls. He was charged with two fouls just three minutes into the third quarter, bumping his total to five for the third time this season. Luckily for the Knicks, Hart picked up the slack with Brunson forced to the bench, adding 23 points on 10 made buckets through 36 minutes.
— By making a pair of early fourth-quarter free throws, Hart matched his season-high mark of 26 points. And in spite of Brunson’s rare off night, the Knicks managed to extend their lead to a game-high 15 points at the 7:18 mark. Moments later, Hart drove to the bucket for a pair of layups to reach 30 points for the first time since last April. Brunson briefly returned to action at the 5:39 mark.
— While the Pacers didn’t let up, the Knicks’ fourth-quarter lead was never in jeopardy. They extended their advantage to a comfortable 21 points in the closing minutes, and finished the game with 37 team assists. New York also shot a respectable 54 percent from the floor (49-of-91) and out-rebounded the Pacers, 48-36.
— Hart’s night was unique, as he produced a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double for the first time in his career. A rather clutch performance, too, considering three Knicks starters — Brunson, Precious Achiuwa, and Mikal Bridges — combined for just 23 points. New York’s bench was also worthy of credit — McBride, Landry Shamet, and Cameron Payne combined for 35.
Game MVP: Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns scored a season-low nine points against the Celtics on Saturday, and he made sure that poor performance was an aberration. He finished the game with a laudable 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting with 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. It was also Towns’ 15th game with 30-plus points this season and 40th double-double.
Highlights
Up next
The Knicks (35-18) return home on Wednesday and wrap up the first half of their season with a matchup against the conference-rival Atlanta Hawks (7:30 tip).
