Knicks' season on the brink after defensive disaster in Game 4 loss to Pacers

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2 days ago

INDIANAPOLIS — The perimeter was wide open.
The paint was even less congested.
There was zero resistance.
Defense? Not from the Knicks. Not Tuesday night.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks goes up for a shot as Aaron Nesmith of the Indiana Pacers defends on May 27, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
This more closely resembled the Mike D'Antoni Knicks than the Tom Thibodeau version.
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The team that likes to say it is at its best when its best is needed failed to bring the required desperation. The Pacers acted like the ones who were trying to avoid a 3-1 series deficit.
Tyrese Haliburton torched the Knicks and so did his teammates in a 130-121 shellacking in Game 4 that moved Indiana to within one game of the NBA Finals.
'We didn't match their pace and their inspiration, too,' Karl-Anthony Towns said. 'We just didn't match what they came to do tonight to start the game and in true fashion to our whole playoff run we put ourselves in a deficit, got ourselves out of the deficit and usually we feel good about us in a close game going into the fourth quarter and showing our resilience. But you get burned if you put yourself in that position too many times.'
Mikal Bridges and the Knicks had a Game 4 to forget. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The new starting lineup couldn't get stops. Neither could the reserves. Another miracle comeback wasn't in the cards, not with the Knicks committing 17 turnovers — five by Josh Hart — that led to 20 Pacer points.
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Mikal Bridges was a no-show until it was too late.
Josh Hart reacts after he was called for a foul in the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Jalen Brunson and Towns combined for 55 points, but both were turnstiles defensively.
OG Anunoby didn't make enough of a difference.
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'[They] just played harder than us,' Bridges said. 'I didn't play my best game. On both ends, let my team down a little bit. … They came out with more fire.'
Led by Haliburton's 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds, the Pacers shot 51.1 percent from the field. They piled up 50 points in the paint.
Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers puts up a shot as Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks jumps to defend. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
They had 22 points in transition.
The Knicks had no answers.
Trailing by 15 early in the fourth quarter, the Knicks made it a game late, getting within six on multiple occasions.
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Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks slams the ball during the third quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
But the key to any successful comeback, getting stops, was nowhere to be found.
With 46.3 seconds to go, Obi Toppin, the former Knick, iced it with Indiana's 13th and final 3-pointer, yet another shot when a Knick wasn't close to a Pacer.
'They played with more intensity,' Mitchell Robinson said. 'We should've matched it.'
Now, the Knicks need to reel off three straight wins to advance against a team that hasn't lost two in a row the entire postseason.
The odds are long, especially with how Thibodeau's team has defended in this series.
Pascal Siakam #43 of the Indiana Pacers puts up a shot over OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Game 5 is Thursday night at the Garden, where the Knicks are an underwhelming 3-5 in the playoffs. It will be their first game facing elimination of the postseason.
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It was a defense-optional start for the Knicks, who allowed more points in the first quarter (43) than the entire second half on Sunday (42).
Haliburton crushed them in the opening quarter with 15 points and six assists, and the Pacers made 15-of-22 shots from the field.
'Communication, that was the biggest thing,' Robinson said. 'It started with me. I wasn't talking first, and I'm the anchor of the defense. I'm not talking, nobody is.'
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin reacts in front of New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby after hitting a 3-point shot late in the 4th quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It was a preview of the rest of the evening. Whenever it looked like the Knicks were getting it together, a turnover or a defensive lapse followed.
They led by one late in the first half, then proceeded to allow 13 straight points, as the Pacers built a 12-point lead.
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The Knicks never got closer than five the rest of the way. Their inability to string together stops wouldn't allow it.
'We gotta make sure we play with the proper approach and intensity and force and be connected,' Thibodeau said.
Obi Toppin of the Indiana Pacers reacts after he hits a 3-point shot as OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks is too late to defend during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Knicks didn't have that in Game 4. Now, their margin for error is gone.
It's win Thursday night at the Garden or go home until next season.