Knick Trade Shock: New York Closing In on Superstar Deal—What It Means for the 2025 Season

The New York Knicks clawed their way back into the 2025 Eastern Conference finals on Sunday night, erasing a 14-point second-half deficit to stun the Indiana Pacers 104-101 in Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. H2: Brunson’s Fourth-Quarter Takeover All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson shook off a cold start to pour in 17 of his 32 points during a blistering final period. The lefty dissected Indiana’s drop coverage with a steady diet of pull-up threes and bruising drives, punctuating the run with a step-back triple over Andrew Nembhard that gave New York its first lead since the opening quarter, 98-97, with 1:41 remaining. Brunson also dished nine assists and committed just one turnover, underscoring why head coach Tom Thibodeau keeps the ball in his hands in crunch time. H2: Randle Returns to Form After two inconsistent outings at Madison Square Garden, Julius Randle looked far more explosive in Indianapolis. The three-time All-Star bullied smaller defenders on the block for 24 points and 11 rebounds, repeatedly forcing double teams that opened the floor for Quentin Grimes (4-for-7 from deep) and Donte DiVincenzo (15 points). Randle’s rim pressure was especially critical in the third quarter, when the Pacers appeared poised to blow the game open. H2: Pacers’ Late-Game Lapses Indiana’s frenetic pace had New York on its heels for most of the night, but the Pacers stalled when it mattered most. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 26 points and 10 assists yet attempted only two shots in the last five minutes, while Myles Turner’s foul trouble limited the Pacers’ interior presence. Rick Carlisle’s club shot 1-for-7 from the field and committed three turnovers in the closing 3:30, a stark contrast to the crisp execution that secured their first-round upset of Boston. H2: Thibodeau’s Rotational Gamble Pays Off Criticized all season for a tight bench, Thibodeau dusted off veteran wing Josh Hart, who had logged just eight minutes in the series. Hart responded with suffocating defense on Bennedict Mathurin and a momentum-shifting put-back dunk late in the third. The Knicks finished +12 in Hart’s 16 minutes, a swing that ultimately decided the game. H2: What Game 3 Means for the Series • Momentum Shift: The Knicks cut Indiana’s series lead to 2-1, preserving the possibility of a Garden clincher if they can now protect home court. • Defensive Adjustments: Expect the Pacers to trap Brunson earlier at the top of the arc; Haliburton hinted postgame that “we can’t let him walk into rhythm threes.” • Injury Watch: Knicks center Mitchell Robinson rolled an ankle late in the fourth; X-rays were negative, but his status for Game 4 remains day-to-day. H2: Key Stats at a Glance • Points in the Paint: Knicks 48, Pacers 34 • Fast-Break Points: Pacers 22, Knicks 8 • Second-Chance Points: Knicks 17, Pacers 9 • Three-Point Percentage: Knicks 40% (12-for-30), Pacers 31% (11-for-35) H2: Looking Ahead Game 4 tips Tuesday night in Indianapolis. A Knicks victory would level the series and shift the pressure squarely onto Indiana before the matchup returns to Manhattan. Conversely, a Pacers bounce-back would put New York on the brink despite Sunday’s heroics. With momentum, health, and clutch shot-making suddenly in flux, the 2025 Eastern Conference finals are officially up for grabs—exactly the kind of drama Broadway and basketball fans live for.