The New York Knicks staged a dramatic comeback from a 20-point deficit, defeating the Indiana Pacers 106-100 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, reducing the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1. Karl-Anthony Towns erupted for 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, while Jalen Brunson, despite foul trouble, added 23 points, including a go-ahead layup with 7:10 left to give the Knicks an 89-88 lead (per The Athletic). The victory marked the Knicks’ third 20-point comeback of the 2025 playoffs, with Game 4 set for Tuesday night in Indianapolis (per ESPN).
Towns, battling a sore knee, also grabbed 15 rebounds, dominating the paint to spark New York’s rally after trailing 55-35 late in the first half, while Brunson’s clutch plays sealed the win despite his five fouls limiting his third-quarter minutes (per prior web results). Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 20 points and 6 assists, and Myles Turner added 19 points, but Indiana faltered after losing Aaron Nesmith to a sprained ankle in the third quarter, dropping to 0-4 all-time on Indianapolis 500 game days (per prior recap). The Pacers’ late-game execution faltered, as noted by coach Rick Carlisle, despite a festive atmosphere with Indy 500 winner Alex Palou and 2000 Pacers champs like Reggie Miller in attendance.
The Knicks, now 1-2 in the series, showcased resilience, having previously overcome 20-point deficits against Boston and Indiana in these playoffs (per The Athletic). Nesmith’s return in the fourth quarter provided a brief spark for the Pacers, but his status for Game 4 remains uncertain, with Carlisle awaiting further updates (per ESPN). New York’s ability to win on the road—making it three straight road victories in the series—keeps their hopes alive, while the Pacers must regroup to protect their lead in a pivotal Game 4.
Posted on May 26, 2025
