Knicks vs Pacers: Indiana Stuns New York 137–134 in Overtime Thriller at Madison Square Garden
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 137–134 in overtime at Madison Square Garden in one of the most electrifying games of the 2025/26 NBA season. Featuring 39 lead changes, clutch three-pointers, and late-game chaos, this Knicks vs Pacers showdown delivered a dramatic road upset and a crucial momentum shift for Indiana.
With fans searching for “Knicks vs Pacers highlights,” “Brunson 40 points,” “Pacers overtime win,” and “NBA scores today,” this Eastern Conference battle quickly became one of the most talked-about matchups of the week.
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Knicks vs Pacers Recap: A Thriller at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden witnessed a back-and-forth contest from start to finish.
The Knicks entered the night red-hot at home, having lost just six of their previous 27 games at MSG. Meanwhile, the Pacers arrived with one of the Eastern Conference’s worst road records and riding a four-game losing streak.
Despite the contrasting momentum, neither side created significant separation:
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Knicks led 33–32 after the first quarter
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New York held a 69–63 halftime advantage
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No lead extended beyond single digits for long stretches
Jalen Brunson’s relentless scoring and Karl-Anthony Towns’ inside-out presence powered New York early. But Indiana stayed composed behind Pascal Siakam’s versatility and Andrew Nembhard’s efficient shot-making, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard Lead Indiana’s Charge
Siakam Dominates with 30 Points
Pascal Siakam delivered a commanding performance, finishing with 30 points while attacking mismatches in the mid-post and transition. He punished defensive lapses with:
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Face-up drives
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Turnaround jumpers
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Aggressive finishes at the rim
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Trips to the free-throw line
Whenever the Knicks threatened to pull away, Siakam responded with timely buckets.
Nembhard Controls the Tempo
Andrew Nembhard produced one of his best all-around games of the season:
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24 points
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10 assists
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Clutch shot-making in the fourth quarter and overtime
His poise in pick-and-roll situations and ability to make the correct read under pressure gave Indiana the stability it needed in one of the NBA’s toughest arenas.
Pacers’ Depth Proves Decisive
Depth ultimately tipped the scales in this high-scoring contest.
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Eight Pacers scored in double figures
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Indiana’s bench outscored New York’s 43–18
Quenton Jackson was particularly impactful, scoring 19 points, including seven in overtime. His clutch free throws in the final seconds sealed the victory and silenced the Garden crowd.
In a game decided by just three points, bench production made the difference.
Jalen Brunson’s 40-Point Night Falls Short
Despite the loss, Jalen Brunson continued his All-Star-caliber campaign:
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40 points
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8 assists
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5 rebounds
Brunson attacked relentlessly, hitting contested mid-range jumpers and clutch three-pointers to keep New York within reach.
Josh Hart recorded his second triple-double of the season (15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists), while Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out with 2:14 remaining in overtime — a key turning point that weakened New York’s rim protection late.
Search interest for “Brunson 40 vs Pacers” and “Knicks overtime loss” surged immediately after the final buzzer.
Overtime Chaos: Pacers Survive Late Knicks Rally
After regulation ended tied at 124–124, Indiana opened overtime with a stunning 9–0 run, appearing to seize full control.
The Pacers led:
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133–124
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Then 135–126 with just 24.3 seconds remaining
But Madison Square Garden erupted when the Knicks mounted a furious comeback, scoring eight points in 20 seconds.
Brunson drilled a clutch three-pointer to make it 135–134 with 5.1 seconds left, briefly raising hopes of a dramatic steal.
Indiana held its nerve.
Quenton Jackson calmly knocked down pressure free throws, restoring a three-point lead before the Pacers’ defense denied New York a clean look on the final possession.
Final Score: Pacers 137, Knicks 134 (OT).
Eastern Conference Implications
Indiana Pacers (14–40)
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Snap a four-game losing streak
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Gain a significant confidence boost on the road
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Establish a winning blueprint: aggressive Siakam, composed Nembhard, productive bench
While Indiana remains near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, this performance offers belief heading into the second half of the season.
New York Knicks (34–20)
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Slip behind Boston in the race for the No. 2 seed
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Still 9–2 in their last 11 games
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Continue to be one of the NBA’s toughest home teams
For the Knicks, the defeat is frustrating but not catastrophic. Brunson continues to perform at an MVP level, and Hart remains a versatile triple-double threat. However, closing out high-possession games like this will be crucial if New York aims for a top-two seed and a deep playoff run.