Knicks Trade Rumors, Injury Updates & Playoff Outlook—What New York Fans Need to Know Now

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks find themselves one loss from elimination after falling 130-121 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, giving Indiana a commanding 3-1 series lead. GAME 4 RECAP The Knicks erased a 20-point third-quarter deficit Sunday, but Tuesday’s contest in Indianapolis never swung their way. Jalen Brunson poured in 31 points while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby chipped in 24 and 22, yet New York’s defense couldn’t slow a Pacers offense that shot 55 percent from the field and 43 percent from deep. HISTORIC HALIBURTON NIGHT Tyrese Haliburton delivered a 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound masterpiece without committing a single turnover, becoming the first player in NBA postseason history to hit the 30-15-10 benchmark with zero miscues. Pascal Siakam matched Haliburton’s scoring with 30, and Bennedict Mathurin’s 20 off the bench kept New York’s reserves at bay. KNICKS’ KEY ADJUSTMENTS • Perimeter Containment: Indiana drained 17 threes; New York must tighten close-outs and cover Haliburton’s kick-outs. • Pace Control: The Pacers logged 19 fast-break points. Expect Tom Thibodeau to emphasize transition defense and more deliberate half-court sets to leverage Brunson–Towns pick-and-rolls. • Bench Spark: The Knicks were outscored 38-23 by Indiana’s reserves. Increased minutes for Donte DiVincenzo and Isaiah Hartenstein could stabilize second-unit production. INJURY WATCH No new injuries were reported post-game, but fatigue looms: Brunson has averaged 42.6 minutes this series, while Anunoby continues to play through lingering elbow soreness. Any drop in their availability would further thin New York’s margin for error. WHAT’S NEXT Game 5 shifts back to Madison Square Garden on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The Knicks are 6-1 at home this postseason and will rely on the Garden crowd to revive their comeback hopes. Historically, teams down 3-1 in a best-of-seven have rallied only 5.8 percent of the time, but New York has already overcome double-digit deficits in each of its three playoff rounds. SEO FOCUS Fans searching for “Knicks vs Pacers Game 5,” “NBA Playoffs 2025 Eastern Conference Finals schedule,” and “Jalen Brunson Tyrese Haliburton stats” will find full coverage here as the series returns to New York. BOTTOM LINE The Knicks must rediscover the defensive identity that propelled them past Miami and Boston. If Brunson and Towns can replicate their offensive output while limiting Indiana’s transition attack, a Game 6 back in Indianapolis becomes possible. Lose Thursday, and a promising season—and New York’s first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999—slips away.