Latest news with #Brunson
New York Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks refuse to ‘doubt' core's ability to make next NBA Finals leap
INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Brunson made his sentiment crystal clear. After falling in the Eastern Conference finals, how confident is he that this core has enough to take the next step into the NBA Finals and win a championship? Advertisement 'The most confidence,' Brunson said after the Knicks' 125-108 Game 6, season-ending loss to the Pacers on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 'Overconfident. Seriously, there's not an ounce of any type of doubt that I'm not confident with this group.' The Knicks made three major moves last offseason to build a championship contender. They sent Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns. They parted with five first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Nets. Advertisement 3 Jalen Brunson and the Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs after their 125-108 Game 6 Eastern Conference finals loss to the Pacers on May 31, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg They brought back OG Anunoby on the biggest contract in franchise history. Those moves, this time around, were not enough. Advertisement 'You make moves to win,' Towns said. 'It hurts to not bring an opportunity to the city for a championship. We got a bunch of great guys in that locker room and we hope to put ourselves in this position again.' Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. The Knicks, to a man, were adamant they wanted to bring back the same core next year. But they also know that there is often inevitable reality when a group falls short of its goals. Advertisement 3 Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after the Knicks' season-ending Game 6 loss to the Pacers. Charles Wenzelberg 3 Josh Hart reacts in frustration during the Knicks' season-ending Game 6 loss to the Pacers. Charles Wenzelberg 'You're always going to hear me say, 'Run it back,' ' Josh Hart said. 'I think you heard me say the same thing last year with the guys we had. I'd like to do it. I feel like this team is good enough to make the next step. 'But it's a business. And when you don't get to where you feel like you could've or should've, changes are made. This is my eighth year. This is my fourth organization. I've had six or seven coaches. It's tough, we're going to have to see. Don't think you can ever be too comfortable.' What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Brunson's reasons to believe in this group lie behind the scenes. 'I've got a lot of faith in this group,' Brunson said. 'No one sees the things that me and [KAT] see every day. No one sees the type of people that we have, the workers that we have. That's what gives me the confidence, and I'm OK with that. I don't care what people think about us on the outside. I know what we've got.'
Indianapolis Star
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Andrew Nembhard was having a rough series, then forced Jalen Brunson into a rough night
INDIANAPOLIS – Jalen Brunson had seen enough of Andrew Nembhard. The frustration reached the boiling point Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after Nembhard reached from behind the New York Knicks point guard at midcourt, poked the ball away and corralled it. Nembhard cruised in for a finger roll layup, putting the Pacers ahead by 14 points with 8 ½ minutes left in the fourth and sending the Pacers fans into delirium. Nembhard flexed, then found Brunson again and face guarded him back up the floor. Before they got to midcourt, Brunson head-butted Nembhard on the left side of his face. Eyes wide, Nembhard looked to the referee and threw up his hands. No call. But Brunson's frustration was obvious after a stellar defensive night from Nembhard, who played a big role in holding the Knicks' star to a series-low 19 points on 8-for-18 shooting from the field in the Pacers' 125-108 Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals series-clinching win. 'Aaron (Nesmith) got in foul trouble early, so I knew I had to step up,' Nembhard said. 'I had a big task. I tried to be a pest and pick him up full court, irritate him and just do my best job to make it tough on him. He was dominating the series and there's not much you can do with a guy like that but I tried to make it tough on him.' More: Celebrate the Pacers' amazing season and run to NBA Finals with our commemorative book Ironically, Nembhard was switched off Brunson in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals in favor of the taller Nesmith. But Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had confidence he could turn to Nembhard when Nesmith picked up his second foul with 30 seconds left in the first quarter. It was a smart move. 'I just had a strong belief that he was gonna have a big game today,' Carlisle said. 'The other thing is getting him on Brunson created a natural cross-match to keep OG (Anunoby) off of him. OG is like the silent killer on their team. He is very hard to score on. He's a guy that doesn't get enough credit as a scorer. After timeouts, they were going to him almost every time. He was scoring almost every time. Defensively, he's a beast. Drew really took the challenge. Aaron had fouls really from the beginning of the game. When he got his first, I made the switch. A naturally easy decision.' Nesmith, who said 'I'm so glad I got some days (to rest),' when asked about his sprained ankle suffered in Game 3, commended Nembhard for hounding Brunson for the final three quarters. 'I got an early foul and he took the assignment and he absolutely crushed it,' Nesmith said. 'I think he deserved to be an all-NBA defensive team this year. It was crappy he got left off. That's what he does, man. He's a dawg. He fights and he guards, and he brought it tonight.' Nembhard was not just a pest on defense with his six steals. He brought the offense, too. After struggling to a combined 6-for-26 field-goal shooting in Games 3, 4 and 5, he went for 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting and eight assists Saturday. On the possession before his steal of Brunson and layup, Nembhard drilled a 19-foot step-back jumper to put the Pacers up 12. His 3-pointer with 4:22 left put the Pacers up 19 points and officially put the dagger in the Knicks. 'You can always count on Drew to hit a big-time shot,' Nesmith said. 'I always tell him every game there's going to be one game there's going to be a breakdown or low shot clock and the ball is going to end up in his hands. I've got full faith that it's going in.' Nembhard did not have his shot going early. But on this Finals-bound Pacers' team, it seems like everyone contributes when their time comes. That was Nembhard in the fourth quarter Saturday night. 'I think we think we all play together and we all play within ourselves,' Nembhard said. 'We always play hard and we believe in ourselves. We have always have something to prove out there. I think the biggest thing today was just bringing up our compete level and going out swinging.'
The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Knicks vs Pacers Game 6 live updates: Time, TV, odds for NBA playoffs
Brunson scored a game-high 32 points in Game 5, and Karl-Anthony Towns overcame some foul trouble to produce a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks outscored the Pacers in every quarter on Thursday. Haliburton was limited to just eight points and six assists in 32 minutes of play. Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench and finished with 23 points and nine rebounds. It all adds up to a crucial Game 6. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. The Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. How to watch New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game 6 Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) TV: TNT, truTV TNT, truTV Stream: Sling TV, Max Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 6 on Sling Where is Game 6 between Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks? The Indiana Pacers will host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Indiana Pacers are favored to beat the New York Knicks in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, May 31): Spread : Pacers (-3.5) : Pacers (-3.5) Moneyline : Pacers (-180); Knicks (+145) : Pacers (-180); Knicks (+145) Over/under: 221.5 The Indiana Pacers are favored to win the NBA Eastern Conference finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, May 31): Indiana Pacers -375 New York Knicks +275 Jeff Zillgitt: Pacers 111, Knicks 106 Pacers 111, Knicks 106 Scooby Axson: Pacers 117, Knicks 103 Pacers 117, Knicks 103 Cydney Henderson: Pacers 118, Knicks 113 Pacers 118, Knicks 113 James Williams: Pacers 110, Knicks 105 ESPN: Pacers have a 58% chance of winning According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the Indiana Pacers have a 58% chance of beating the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Bleacher Report: Pacers punch ticket to finals Andy Bailey writes: "With the Knicks' transition offense limited by fewer Pacer turnovers and Indiana a bit more locked in from three, the Pacers should be able to win at home and end this series. As is often the case when a series hits this point (one team having more than one chance to close things out), Indiana appeared to have let its foot off the gas a bit even before the game started. It's human nature to let your mind drift to the fact that you'll get another shot at home in 48 hours. But that won't happen again. Knowing Game 7 would be in New York will force the Pacers to focus and come out far more aggressively on Saturday. And after that win, Indiana will return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000." Draft Kings: Indiana Pacers Julian Edlow writes: I'll take Indy to go wire-to-wire again in Game 6 and advance to the NBA Finals. You can bet them on the double result (lead at halftime and win the game) at even money, and/or lay the -4 on the Pacers at DraftKings Sportsbook." The Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at 8 p.m. ET with coverage on TNT, truTV and streaming on Max. (Pacers lead series 3-2) All times Eastern; *-if necessary
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Knicks could end up regretting blowing chance to make history
INDIANAPOLIS — In the end, they had no more comebacks left in them, and barely enough to fight back. Depending on how the next few years shake out for the Knicks, they may rue the opportunity they let slip away in these Eastern Conference finals. The Game 1 collapse, which would've been a footnote if they could've found a way to win the series, instead gets a permanent place on the shelf of Knicks playoff ignominy, right alongside the Charles Smith Game, alongside eight-points-in-nine-seconds, alongside the Finger Roll Game, alongside 2-for-18. And this series? Add it to the Rockets in '94, and the Spurs in '99, and the Pacers in 2000. The season ended with a 125-108 loss, ended in a hail of lacking defense and awful turnovers and, maybe, the most disappointing game Jalen Brunson has played as a Knick. A season ends, a dream dies, a ride stumbles off the tracks, and it's easy in the moment to be mad at everybody. Because everybody had a hand in this. Brunson. Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 22 on a night when the Knicks probably needed him to score 42. In the end, as the Pacers' lead grew and grew in the fourth, out of the reach of whatever pixie dust had sustained the Knicks the past seven weeks, it became a humiliating mess.
Fox Sports
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
NBA East finals: Pacers eliminate Knicks to return to 1st Finals since 2000
The Indiana Pacers made it to the NBA Finals after defeating the New York Knicks in six games to clinch the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are back in the Finals for the first time since 2000, the same year their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was born. They will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who won the West earlier this week and are now back in the Finals since 2012. One season after the Pacers lost to the Boston Celtics in the ECF, they scaled that hump. As for the Knicks, they still haven't appeared in the NBA finals since 1999 and haven't won it all since 1973. Here's what stood out after the Pacers' Game 6 win and what's next as they gear up for Thursday's showdown in OKC. ___________ Game 6: Pacers 125, Knicks 108 What went right for the Pacers? Pascal Siakam and the Pacers' role players stepped up in various ways. With the Knicks prioritizing keeping the ball out of Haliburton's hands, and eliminating his drives when he did have it, the Pacers' auxiliary players were bound to define their outcome. Siakam scored cheap buckets on leak-outs and transition opportunities. Andrew Nembhard rediscovered his offensive touch in the second half and clamped Jalen Brunson the whole game — essential with Indiana nervous to put a hampered Aaron Nesmith on Brunson for long stretches. Nembhard also found his defensive prowess again, finishing Game 6 with six steals. Myles Turner had a better game, too, hitting a pair of crucial 3-point shots. Off the bench, Obi Toppin and Thomas Bryant provided an impact. Toppin with his athleticism and Bryant with timely corner 3s. While Haliburton didn't light up the scoring column, his patience, humility and 13 assists helped empower his teammates. In the fourth quarter, he found soft spots in the Knicks' defense for a trio of game-sealing floaters. The key word and ultimate difference for Indiana was pressure. They applied it on both sides; defensively, they picked up the Knicks' ball handlers in the backcourt off makes and misses, while on offense they demonstrated it on fast breaks. They had worn out the Knicks all series, and it paid dividends in the second half of Game 6. What went wrong for the Knicks? Apart from Mitchell Robinson's presence on the offensive glass, the Knicks were unable to meet the Pacers' intensity. The Pacers' full-court pressure sped them up and took them out of their rhythm. New York was unable to prevent Indiana from getting out in transition, or establishing their second break. While it was a four-point game at halftime, it felt like the Knicks were catching their breath. OG Anunoby and Miles Bridges kept them in it, while Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns struggled. That theme continued as the Knicks best two players — Brunson and Towns — were simply not good enough to pull out a must-win game. The Pacers flustered Brunson, forcing him into chaotic drives and five turnovers. Towns, after dominating every defender thrown his way, failed to maximize isolation situations. Towns, too, was sub-par defensively. His inability to meet the ball at the point of attack eliminated Bridges and Anunoby's hard work to contain penetration. In the end, the Pacers had more options than the Knicks and pushed those buttons successfully, resulting in a series victory in six games. The Pacers are in the Finals. They'll win if __: They continue to be themselves, and take it up a notch. As profiled, the Pacers' style matches up well with Oklahoma City's. They're unpredictable and effective on offense, and don't turn the ball over. Turnovers are what the Thunder's defense feast on, which favors them if Indiana's frenetic pace turns chaotic. But, if Indiana can continue to get out in transition, and do it cleanly, they'll have a chance to out-score Oklahoma City. The Pacers will also need a healthy Nesmith as he is by far their best option to guard NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even with Nesmith at full-strength, Indiana could have match-up issues as Jalen Williams is too big for Nembhard and too quick for Siakam. Finding someone who can match up with Williams will be crucial, too. Oklahoma City and Indiana have never met in the NBA Finals, so it's a unique pairing team-wise and style-wise. That could lead to an intensely exciting brand of back-and-forth basketball. Jeff Teague said that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander "saved the NBA" with his play this season. Jason McIntyre discusses SGA's impact and if his play is good for the NBA. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
