The New York Knicks, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, faced a setback on May 25 as they fell 130-121 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, putting the Knicks on the brink of playoff elimination. Despite Towns’ tough performance while managing an apparent knee injury, the Knicks struggled to overcome a persistent deficit on the road in Indianapolis.
Knicks narrowly miss a second comeback against Pacers
After an electrifying comeback victory in Game 3, where the Knicks erased a 20-point deficit, the team could not replicate that late-game surge in Game 4. The Pacers, seeded fourth, maintained control for much of the contest and secured a crucial 3-1 series lead. Although New York rallied from down 15 points during the game and briefly led just before halftime, Indiana’s resilience in the second half proved decisive.
Tyrese Haliburton’s flawless performance propels Pacers
Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton delivered an almost perfect showing, contributing 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds without committing a single turnover. Haliburton was close to a triple-double at halftime with 20 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, keeping the Pacers within reach despite a narrow five-point halftime lead. Pascal Siakam complemented the effort by adding 30 points, solidifying the Pacers’ commanding second-half form that never let the Knicks regain momentum.
Karl-Anthony Towns shows resilience despite injury
For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns again had a notable game, putting up 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists while shooting 8-of-15 in 37 minutes. Coming off a historic 20-point fourth quarter in the previous game, Towns battled through an early foul trouble and an apparent knee injury sustained after halftime, which hampered his mobility and endurance. Despite the physical challenges, he remained on the court, providing leadership and tenacity.
Supporting Towns, Jalen Brunson scored 31 points and OG Anunoby added 22, but the collective effort was not enough to overturn the Pacers’ lead. Indiana’s timely shooting down the stretch sealed what could be a series-defining win for the home team.
Knicks face a must-win situation as series returns to New York
With the series standing at 3-1 in favor of the Pacers, the Knicks find themselves one loss away from elimination. Karl-Anthony Towns reflected on the team’s spirit after the game, saying,
“We’ve been a team that has kind of found a way to do the impossible when it always seemed impossible,”
and added,
“We just keep fighting. It’s gonna be a testament to our whole playoff run. Now we have to be in one of the biggest fights of our lives and of our season.”
—Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks center
Game 5 will return to Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple on Thursday, May 29, at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on TNT. For the Knicks, it represents a critical opportunity to extend their postseason journey and avoid an early exit. Fans and analysts alike await to see if Towns and his teammates can muster the resilience needed to push this series back to Indiana for a decisive Game 7.