Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats
The knicks vs pacers match player stats from the May 22, 2025 Eastern Conference Finals opener tell the story of one of the most dramatic playoff games of the season. The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime at Madison Square Garden, taking a 1-0 series lead in a game that featured 273 total points, several outstanding individual performances, and a remarkable late-game comeback.
Indiana entered Game 1 with a 50-32 regular-season record, while New York finished 51-31. The Knicks also had the stronger home record at 27-14, making the result particularly significant for Indiana. The Pacers overcame the hostile Madison Square Garden environment and a massive scoring performance from Jalen Brunson to win on the road.
Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 31 points and 11 assists. Aaron Nesmith added 30 points while shooting an extraordinary 8-of-9 from three-point range. For New York, Brunson produced 43 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 35 points and collected 12 rebounds.
The final score alone does not fully explain the game. The deeper numbers show why Indiana survived despite New York collecting more rebounds and getting major contributions from its two leading scorers.
Game Overview
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was played at Madison Square Garden in New York on May 22, 2025. The official attendance was 19,812.
The Pacers won 138-135 after overtime, moving ahead 1-0 in the series.
The game was competitive throughout regulation. New York held a nine-point advantage after the first half, leading 69-62. Indiana then responded in the second half, particularly during a 38-point fourth quarter that forced overtime.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring was:
| Quarter | Pacers | Knicks |
| First | 34 | 36 |
| Second | 28 | 33 |
| Third | 25 | 21 |
| Fourth | 38 | 35 |
| Overtime | 13 | 10 |
| Final | 138 | 135 |
The biggest statistical clue is the fourth quarter. Indiana scored 38 points and New York scored 35. That allowed the Pacers to erase the deficit and send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Indiana scored 13 points compared with 10 for New York.
That five-point overtime margin ultimately decided the contest.
Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats
Looking closely at the knicks vs pacers match player stats reveals a game dominated by elite scoring, efficient perimeter shooting, and high-volume offensive possessions.
Indiana finished 51-of-100 from the field, while New York made 48 of 94 attempts. Both teams therefore finished at approximately 51 percent from the field.
The difference was more noticeable from three-point range.
Indiana converted 15 of 37 three-point attempts, good for 41 percent. New York made 11 of 34, shooting 32 percent.
Indiana also committed only seven turnovers compared with 15 for New York.
That eight-turnover difference was important because a playoff game decided by three points can easily turn on a handful of extra possessions.
Indiana Pacers Team Statistics
| Category | Pacers |
| Points | 138 |
| Field Goals | 51/100 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 51% |
| Three-Pointers | 15/37 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 41% |
| Free Throws | 21/28 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 75% |
| Total Rebounds | 39 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 11 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| Assists | 26 |
| Turnovers | 7 |
| Steals | 6 |
| Blocks | 3 |
| Personal Fouls | 24 |
Indiana’s offensive profile was extremely balanced. The Pacers combined 51 percent overall shooting with 41 percent three-point shooting and limited their turnovers to just seven.
That combination created a highly efficient offensive night.
New York Knicks Team Statistics
| Category | Knicks |
| Points | 135 |
| Field Goals | 48/94 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 51% |
| Three-Pointers | 11/34 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 32% |
| Free Throws | 28/40 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 70% |
| Total Rebounds | 46 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 13 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 33 |
| Assists | 24 |
| Turnovers | 15 |
| Steals | 7 |
| Blocks | 8 |
| Personal Fouls | 23 |
New York’s numbers show that this was not a case of poor shooting causing the loss. The Knicks shot 51 percent overall and controlled the rebounding battle.
Their biggest problems were perimeter efficiency and ball security.
Jalen Brunson’s 43-Point Performance
Jalen Brunson was the statistical centerpiece of New York’s offense.
He scored 43 points, making him the game’s highest scorer. His performance was especially important because the Knicks were playing at home and needed consistent shot creation against an Indiana team capable of producing points from several positions.
Brunson’s 43 points represented a major portion of New York’s 135-point total.
Karl-Anthony Towns also scored 35 points, meaning the Knicks received 78 points from their two leading scorers.
That is an enormous scoring contribution.
Yet the result demonstrates an important lesson about playoff basketball: two elite scoring performances do not automatically guarantee victory.
New York needed more from its overall possession management. The team finished with 15 turnovers, eight more than Indiana.
When a team scores 135 points and still loses, the reason is often found in the details rather than the headline scoring numbers.
Karl-Anthony Towns Adds 35 Points and 12 Rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered another major offensive performance for New York.
He finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds, giving the Knicks a powerful inside-out scoring presence.
His 12 rebounds also contributed to New York’s overall advantage on the glass.
The Knicks finished with 46 total rebounds compared with 39 for Indiana. They also had 13 offensive rebounds compared with Indiana’s 11.
That means New York generated additional possessions through offensive rebounding, but those extra opportunities were not enough to overcome the turnover gap and Indiana’s superior three-point shooting.
Towns’ production also illustrates how unusual the game was statistically. New York had a 35-point scorer with a double-double, a 43-point scorer, more rebounds, more offensive rebounds, and more blocks, yet Indiana still won.
Tyrese Haliburton Controls the Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton was the most influential all-around offensive player for Indiana.
He finished with 31 points and 11 assists.
The combination matters because Haliburton did not simply score. He also created opportunities for teammates and helped Indiana maintain offensive pressure when New York attempted to control the game.
His 11 assists were the highest total listed for either team.
Indiana finished with 26 assists overall, compared with 24 for New York.
The Pacers therefore had a slightly higher level of team-assisted scoring while also receiving 31 points from their primary creator.
Haliburton’s 31 points were especially valuable because Indiana needed both scoring and playmaking from him.
A 31-point, 11-assist performance in an Eastern Conference Finals road game is one of the clearest statistical indicators of his importance to the result.
Aaron Nesmith’s Remarkable Three-Point Shooting
Aaron Nesmith produced one of the most striking individual statistical performances of the night.
He scored 30 points and made 8 of 9 three-point attempts.
That translates to an outstanding 88.9 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
His eight made three-pointers accounted for 24 points.
Nesmith’s shooting efficiency gave Indiana a major advantage because New York did not match that level of perimeter production. The Knicks made 11 three-pointers as a team, while Nesmith alone made eight for Indiana.
His performance also changed the mathematical structure of the game.
Indiana made 15 three-pointers in total. Nesmith accounted for more than half of them.
When one player is converting threes at that rate, defensive schemes can become difficult to maintain. Helping off him becomes dangerous, but allowing clean perimeter attempts creates an even bigger problem.
This is one of the clearest examples of why box-score analysis should go beyond points.
A player scoring 30 points on highly efficient three-point shooting can have a different impact from a player scoring 30 points through a much larger number of attempts.
Josh Hart’s All-Around Contribution
Josh Hart provided an important all-around performance for New York.
He led the Knicks with 13 rebounds and also recorded seven assists.
His rebounding total was the highest of any player listed in the supplied game data.
Hart’s 13 rebounds helped New York win the overall rebounding battle 46-39.
His seven assists also made him one of the Knicks’ most important facilitators.
This is particularly relevant because the Knicks did not rely entirely on Brunson and Towns for offensive creation. Hart helped connect possessions and contributed in multiple areas.
However, his individual production could not fully compensate for the team’s 15 turnovers.
Bench Production
The bench scoring numbers were relatively modest compared with the production from the starters.
For Indiana, T.J. McConnell led the bench with 10 points.
For New York, Miles McBride led the bench with nine points.
That means the game’s major scoring burden was carried primarily by the starting lineups and leading stars.
The contrast is useful when analyzing the game because Indiana’s victory was not primarily the result of a huge bench scoring advantage.
Instead, the Pacers received major contributions from Haliburton and Nesmith, while their overall efficiency and ball security helped them survive New York’s star-driven offense.
Shooting Efficiency Decided the Margin
One of the most important observations from the knicks vs pacers match player stats is that both teams shot 51 percent from the field.
At first glance, that makes the shooting battle look even.
It was not.
The three-point numbers created a meaningful separation.
Indiana:
- 15-of-37 from three
- 41 percent
New York:
- 11-of-34 from three
- 32 percent
Indiana made four more three-pointers.
Those four additional three-pointers represent 12 additional points.
The final margin was only three points.
That makes the perimeter shooting difference highly significant.
New York actually made more free throws, converting 28 attempts compared with Indiana’s 21. The Knicks also attempted 40 free throws, compared with 28 for Indiana.
So the Pacers did not win because they dominated free-throw scoring.
They won despite giving up an advantage at the foul line.
The more efficient three-point shooting helped offset that difference.
Turnovers Were a Major Difference
Turnovers provide another major explanation for the result.
Indiana committed seven turnovers.
New York committed 15.
That is a difference of eight possessions.
In a 135-138 game, eight additional lost possessions can have an enormous effect.
Turnovers matter because they do more than subtract a possession from the offense. They can also create transition opportunities for the opponent.
The Pacers’ seven-turnover performance shows strong offensive discipline.
New York’s 15 turnovers were much more costly because the game was so close.
If the Knicks had protected the ball at the same rate as Indiana, the possession balance could have looked very different.
This is one reason raw scoring totals can sometimes be misleading. A team can score 135 points and still have inefficient possession management.
Rebounding Favored New York
New York clearly won the rebounding battle.
The Knicks collected 46 total rebounds compared with 39 for Indiana.
They also led in offensive rebounds:
- Knicks: 13
- Pacers: 11
Defensive rebounds were similarly favorable:
- Knicks: 33
- Pacers: 28
This means New York generated more second-chance opportunities and secured more defensive possessions.
Yet Indiana’s superior shooting efficiency and lower turnover total outweighed the rebounding advantage.
That makes this game a useful case study in the different ways teams can control possessions.
Rebounding is one path.
Shooting efficiency is another.
Turnover avoidance is another.
New York controlled one of those areas strongly, while Indiana performed better in the other two.
How the Fourth Quarter Changed the Game
The fourth quarter was arguably the most important period of regulation.
Indiana scored 38 points.
New York scored 35.
That gave the Pacers enough offensive momentum to erase New York’s lead and force overtime.
The fourth quarter scoring also highlights Indiana’s ability to respond under pressure.
New York had entered the second half with a seven-point lead, but Indiana did not allow the game to slip away.
The Pacers scored 38 points in the fourth quarter, their highest single-quarter total of the game.
That offensive surge was crucial because the Knicks had already scored 104 points through three quarters.
Indiana needed an exceptional final period simply to extend the contest.
It delivered.
Overtime Became the Deciding Stage
Once the game reached overtime, the margin became extremely small.
Indiana scored 13 points.
New York scored 10.
The Pacers therefore won overtime by three points, exactly matching their final winning margin.
That makes the overtime period easy to identify as the decisive segment.
Neither team had much room for error.
A single defensive stop, turnover, missed free throw, or made three-pointer could change the result in such a tight game.
Indiana ultimately executed well enough to score 13 points and hold New York to 10.
Why Indiana Won Despite Fewer Rebounds
The final statistics show a fascinating contrast.
New York had:
- Seven more total rebounds
- Two more offensive rebounds
- Five more defensive rebounds
- Eight blocks compared with Indiana’s three
- Seven steals compared with Indiana’s six
Yet Indiana won.
The Pacers’ advantages included:
- Four more made three-pointers
- Better three-point percentage
- Eight fewer turnovers
- Higher total scoring
- A 13-10 overtime advantage
This demonstrates why evaluating a basketball game through a single category can lead to the wrong conclusion.
New York was stronger on the glass and generated more defensive disruptions.
Indiana was more efficient from outside and significantly cleaner with the ball.
The combination of those advantages was enough to produce the win.
Comparing the Star Performances
The individual scoring battle was extremely close in terms of overall impact.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson:
- 43 points
- Highest scorer in the game
His role was primarily centered around creating and finishing offensive possessions for New York.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns:
- 35 points
- 12 rebounds
His contribution combined scoring with interior rebounding.
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton:
- 31 points
- 11 assists
His performance combined scoring with elite playmaking.
Aaron Nesmith
Nesmith:
- 30 points
- 8-of-9 from three-point range
His efficiency from deep was arguably the most unusual individual shooting performance in the game.
Josh Hart
Hart:
- 13 rebounds
- 7 assists
His production was less scoring-focused but extremely valuable across multiple categories.
The contrast between these players shows that there was no single formula for contributing in Game 1.
New York leaned heavily on high-volume star scoring and rebounding.
Indiana combined scoring, playmaking, perimeter shooting, and possession control.
What the Statistics Say About Indiana’s Offense
Indiana’s 138-point performance was built on several complementary elements.
First, the Pacers shot 51 percent from the field.
Second, they shot 41 percent from three.
Third, they committed only seven turnovers.
Fourth, they received 31 points and 11 assists from Haliburton.
Fifth, Nesmith supplied 30 points while converting eight three-pointers.
These factors created a highly efficient offensive profile.
The Pacers did not need to dominate the offensive glass.
They did not need to win the rebounding battle.
They needed to maximize the possessions they had.
That is exactly what their turnover and shooting numbers suggest they accomplished.
What the Statistics Say About New York’s Offense
New York’s offense was also highly productive.
The Knicks scored 135 points and shot 51 percent from the field.
Brunson scored 43.
Towns scored 35.
The team made 28 free throws.
They also collected 13 offensive rebounds.
These are strong offensive numbers by almost any standard.
The problem was that Indiana’s offense was even more efficient in key areas.
The Knicks also lost eight possessions through the turnover differential.
In a game where the losing team scores 135 points, the analysis should focus less on whether the offense was productive and more on where the marginal possessions and points were lost.
That is where the statistical difference becomes clearer.
The Importance of Three-Point Volume
Three-point shooting was not merely about percentage.
Indiana attempted 37 three-pointers.
New York attempted 34.
So the Pacers were both more accurate and slightly more aggressive from behind the arc.
Indiana made 15.
New York made 11.
The four-made-three difference translated directly into 12 points.
The final difference was only three.
That does not mean every three-pointer automatically determined the outcome, but it does show how significant Indiana’s perimeter efficiency was.
Nesmith’s 8-of-9 shooting was particularly influential.
His performance accounted for more than half of Indiana’s made threes.
Free Throws Gave New York an Advantage
The Knicks were more productive at the free-throw line in terms of total makes.
New York went 28-of-40.
Indiana went 21-of-28.
New York therefore made seven more free throws.
That produced a 56-42 advantage in points from free throws if calculated directly from made attempts.
This makes Indiana’s victory even more notable because the Pacers overcame a significant free-throw scoring deficit.
Indiana’s three-point advantage helped compensate for that difference.
The numbers demonstrate that scoring efficiency is multidimensional. A team can lose one area while dominating another.
Defensive Statistics
New York recorded eight blocks compared with Indiana’s three.
The Knicks also had seven steals while Indiana had six.
Those numbers suggest New York created more traditional defensive events.
However, defense is not measured only through blocks and steals.
Indiana’s seven turnovers on offense were important because they limited opportunities for New York to create transition offense.
The Pacers also allowed New York to shoot 51 percent, which shows that the Knicks were highly effective offensively.
In other words, neither team’s defensive performance can be described simply as dominant.
The game was overwhelmingly offense-oriented.
Possession Management and Game Control
The game provides a useful lesson about possession management.
New York had more rebounds and more blocks.
Indiana had fewer turnovers and better three-point shooting.
Those categories influence the number and quality of scoring opportunities available to each team.
Indiana’s seven turnovers were particularly impressive given the pace and scoring volume of the contest.
Maintaining offensive control in a high-pressure playoff environment is difficult.
The Pacers managed to score 138 points while turning the ball over only seven times.
That efficiency gave them a strong foundation for surviving a game in which New York’s two biggest stars combined for 78 points.
The Meaning of a 138-135 Overtime Result
The final score is significant for several reasons.
First, both teams scored at an extremely high level.
Second, the game went beyond regulation.
Third, the difference was only three points.
Fourth, Indiana won on the road.
Fifth, the Pacers immediately took a 1-0 series advantage.
The result therefore had both statistical and strategic importance.
A road win in the opening game of a conference final can change the pressure surrounding the rest of a series.
For New York, the loss came despite major individual performances.
For Indiana, the win demonstrated that its offensive system could withstand a massive scoring night from Brunson and Towns.
Key Statistical Takeaways
The most important numbers from Game 1 can be summarized as follows:
| Statistic | Pacers | Knicks |
| Final Score | 138 | 135 |
| FG | 51/100 | 48/94 |
| FG% | 51% | 51% |
| 3PT | 15/37 | 11/34 |
| 3PT% | 41% | 32% |
| FT | 21/28 | 28/40 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 46 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 11 | 13 |
| Assists | 26 | 24 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 15 |
| Steals | 6 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 8 |
| Overtime | 13 | 10 |
Several numbers immediately stand out.
Indiana had eight fewer turnovers.
Indiana made four more three-pointers.
New York had seven more rebounds.
New York made seven more free throws.
The game ultimately favored the team that was more efficient with its possessions and more effective from long range.
What Fans Should Look for When Reading Player Stats
A useful approach to basketball statistics is to avoid judging a player solely by points.
A 43-point performance is obviously important, but the surrounding context matters.
For this game, the most useful categories include:
- Scoring: Shows who carried the offensive burden.
- Three-point shooting: Shows how efficiently teams converted high-value attempts.
- Rebounding: Measures control of missed shots and second chances.
- Assists: Indicates playmaking and offensive creation.
- Turnovers: Reveals possession efficiency.
- Steals and blocks: Provides information about defensive playmaking.
- Team shooting: Helps determine whether scoring totals were efficient.
Using all of these categories produces a more complete picture than simply looking at the leading scorer.
Why the Box Score Matters in a Playoff Series
Individual game statistics become even more useful when viewed within a series.
Game 1 established several potential areas of focus.
For Indiana, perimeter shooting and ball security were major strengths.
For New York, rebounding and free-throw production were positive indicators.
The Knicks also demonstrated that Brunson and Towns could generate enormous scoring numbers.
The Pacers showed they could respond with balanced production from Haliburton and Nesmith.
These trends can become important in later games because playoff opponents adjust quickly.
A team that identifies the source of an opponent’s advantage can change defensive coverage, offensive spacing, rotation patterns, or shot selection.
Understanding the Broader Player Stats
The supplied box-score information also highlights how different player roles contribute to winning.
Haliburton combined scoring and passing.
Nesmith specialized in high-efficiency perimeter scoring.
Towns combined scoring and rebounding.
Hart contributed heavily to rebounding and playmaking.
Brunson carried the largest scoring load for New York.
McConnell and McBride provided bench scoring.
This variety matters because successful playoff teams generally need several players to perform different jobs.
The game was not won by one statistic alone.
Indiana’s victory came from the combined effect of efficient shooting, low turnovers, major performances from its leading players, and successful overtime execution.
Historical Context of the Result
This Eastern Conference Finals opener carried additional weight because it was played at Madison Square Garden.
New York entered the contest with a 51-31 regular-season record and a 27-14 home record.
Indiana entered with a 50-32 record and a 20-20 road record.
Those records suggest that New York had been particularly strong at home during the regular season.
Indiana’s ability to win in that environment therefore represented a meaningful achievement.
The Pacers did not simply win a neutral-site shootout.
They won an overtime playoff game in New York after allowing Brunson to score 43 points and Towns to score 35.
That context makes the statistical result more impressive.
Final Assessment of the Game
The knicks vs pacers match player stats show that Game 1 was decided by a combination of perimeter efficiency, possession control, and late-game execution.
New York had several statistical advantages.
The Knicks collected 46 rebounds, recorded eight blocks, made 28 free throws, and received 78 combined points from Brunson and Towns.
Yet Indiana found ways to counter those strengths.
The Pacers made 15 three-pointers at a 41 percent rate, compared with 11 at 32 percent for New York. They also committed only seven turnovers.
Haliburton produced 31 points and 11 assists.
Nesmith scored 30 points while making eight of nine three-point attempts.
Toppin led Indiana in rebounding with 10.
McConnell led the Pacers’ bench with 10 points.
For New York, Brunson’s 43 points were the game’s highest individual scoring total, Towns added 35 points and 12 rebounds, and Hart led the team with 13 rebounds and seven assists.
The result was ultimately determined in overtime.
Indiana scored 13 points in the extra period and New York scored 10.
That produced the 138-135 final and gave Indiana a 1-0 series lead.
The broader statistical lesson is clear: New York’s stronger rebounding and free-throw numbers could not overcome Indiana’s superior three-point shooting and much better turnover control. In a three-point playoff game, those small differences became decisive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the highest scorer in Knicks vs Pacers Game 1?
Jalen Brunson was the highest scorer, finishing with 43 points for the New York Knicks.
How many points did Tyrese Haliburton score?
Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and also recorded 11 assists for Indiana.
How many three-pointers did Aaron Nesmith make?
Aaron Nesmith made eight of nine three-point attempts, finishing with 30 points.
Who led the Knicks in rebounds?
Josh Hart led New York with 13 rebounds.
Which team won Knicks vs Pacers Game 1?
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime and took a 1-0 series lead.
Why did the Pacers win despite having fewer rebounds?
Indiana compensated for losing the rebounding battle by shooting better from three-point range and committing far fewer turnovers. The Pacers made 15 threes compared with 11 for New York and committed seven turnovers compared with 15 by the Knicks.
Conclusion
The knicks vs pacers match player stats from Game 1 provide a strong example of why basketball analysis requires more than looking at the final score or leading scorer.
Jalen Brunson’s 43 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ 35 points and 12 rebounds gave New York extraordinary individual production. Josh Hart added 13 rebounds and seven assists, while the Knicks controlled the glass and made more free throws.
Indiana answered with a balanced offensive performance. Tyrese Haliburton delivered 31 points and 11 assists, Aaron Nesmith scored 30 points while making eight of nine three-point attempts, and Obi Toppin led the Pacers in rebounding with 10.
The decisive statistical differences were Indiana’s 41 percent three-point shooting and seven turnovers compared with New York’s 32 percent three-point shooting and 15 turnovers.
New York won the rebounding battle 46-39, but Indiana won the scoring battle 138-135.
The game was ultimately settled in overtime, where Indiana outscored New York 13-10.
For anyone studying the box score, the most important takeaway is that the Pacers did not need to dominate every statistical category. Their ability to maximize shooting efficiency and protect the basketball was enough to overcome New York’s rebounding advantage and enormous scoring performances from its two leading stars.
With Indiana taking a 1-0 lead after an overtime road victory, Game 1 became a compelling example of how small statistical advantages can decide a high-scoring playoff contest.
