Pascal Siakam erupted for a playoff career-high 39 points (15/23 FG), leading the Indiana Pacers to a 114-109 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, giving the Pacers a commanding 2-0 series lead. The game was tied at 81 after three quarters, but Indiana opened the fourth with a 13-4 run, fueled by Siakam’s three-pointer, and held off a late 9-0 Knicks rally, sealing the win with free throws from Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner (per CNN). The Pacers, now 6-0 on the road in the playoffs, head back to Indiana for Game 3 on Sunday, coinciding with the Indianapolis 500 (per The Athletic).
Siakam’s dominance was unmatched, as no other Pacer made more than five field goals, while Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, and Turner contributed 16 points (per ESPN). Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 36 points and 11 assists, continuing his 35+ point streak in the series, but struggled late, missing a crucial three-pointer, while Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 20 points (per prior web results). The Knicks improved defensively after their Game 1 collapse (138-135 OT), with Mitchell Robinson grabbing 9 rebounds in extended minutes, but their fourth-quarter start doomed them, as coach Tom Thibodeau noted the need for “more winning plays” (per The Athletic).
The Pacers, seeking their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, are halfway to the championship round, but Siakam cautioned, “It’s only going to get tougher” (per CNN). No team has ever rallied from a 0-2 home deficit in the conference finals, putting the Knicks, last in this stage in 2000, on the brink as they head to a raucous Gainbridge Fieldhouse (per ESPN). The 50th playoff meeting between these rivals—Indiana leads 28-22 since 1993—echoed their gritty 1990s battles, and with Haliburton’s playmaking and Siakam’s scoring, the Pacers look poised, though Brunson’s resilience keeps New York alive. Stay tuned to BuzzSport.de for the latest NBA playoff updates!
Posted on May 24, 2025
