Pascal Siakam Shatters Franchise Record in Pacers Thriller — Full Highlights, Key Stats & Fan Reactions

Indiana — Pascal Siakam is proving once again that the NBA postseason is his natural habitat. Just four months after arriving in Indianapolis via a blockbuster trade, the two-time All-Star erupted for a playoff career-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting to power the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 114-109, and seize a 2-0 stranglehold on the Eastern Conference finals. Silencing Madison Square Garden Siakam scored Indiana’s first 11 points, showcasing the downhill drives, spinning finishes and soft-touch pull-ups that made him a nightmare cover during Toronto’s 2019 title run. Each bucket quieted a raucous Garden crowd—and underscored why Pacers president Kevin Pritchard wagered three first-round picks to pry the Cameroonian away from the Raptors in January. Indiana’s offense, already lethal behind Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking, has leveled up with Siakam as a pick-and-roll partner who can bully smaller wings or stretch big men to the arc. In two games versus New York, he’s averaging 33.5 points on 65% shooting while shouldering the scoring burden when Haliburton draws traps above the break. A perfect fit in Rick Carlisle’s system Carlisle’s motion sets hinge on split-second reads and constant cutting—traits that suit Siakam’s high motor. According to Second Spectrum tracking, the 30-year-old is generating 1.42 points per touch within five feet of the rim this series, up from 1.18 during the regular season. “He just makes winning plays,” Carlisle said post-game. “When the clock hits six seconds, we can throw it to Pascal and trust he’ll create something efficient.” Defensively, Siakam’s versatility has been just as valuable. He toggled between Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson in Game 2, using his 7-foot-3 wingspan to contest drives without fouling. The Knicks shot 4-for-14 when Siakam was the primary defender, per NBA Advanced Stats, a key reason Indiana limited New York to 41 second-half points. Momentum heading to Gainbridge Fieldhouse Game 3 shifts to Indianapolis, where the Pacers are 6-0 this postseason. The Knicks’ injury list—Randle’s ankle, OG Anunoby’s elbow—raises questions about their ability to match Indiana’s pace in transition. Siakam thrives in up-tempo environments; he leads all remaining playoff participants with 7.3 fast-break points per game. If New York can’t control the glass or slow Indiana’s early offense, it risks digging an insurmountable hole. Lessons from the trade gamble When the Pacers landed Siakam, skeptics wondered whether a short-term rental justified such a hefty draft outlay. Two games from the franchise’s first Finals appearance since 2000, the answer looks obvious. Siakam not only diversified Carlisle’s schemes but also injected championship experience into a locker room devoid of Finals pedigrees. Teammates have embraced his vocal leadership. “He’s always in my ear—telling me what coverages he sees, reminding me to stay aggressive,” Haliburton said. “You feel his confidence, and it spreads.” What’s next Siakam can opt for free agency in July, yet league insiders believe Indiana’s strong postseason showing positions the club as the clear favorite to re-sign him on a four-year maximum deal. For now, his focus remains on closing out the Knicks. Tip-off for Game 3 is set for Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Another dominant outing could propel the Pacers to a 3-0 cushion—historically a death sentence for the trailing team. Should Siakam keep spinning and slashing at his current clip, Indiana might soon find itself chasing a banner that once felt years away.