The New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers 137-134 in overtime. Jalen Brunson scored 40 points with 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Indiana entered the game with the worst road win percentage in the league. The Pacers’ bench outscored the Knicks’ bench 43-18. New York is 34-20.
Brunson had 40 points and the Knicks still lost
Jalen Brunson finished with 40 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. The Knicks lost anyway. DeMarcus Cousins said New York is “a piece away” from being genuine contenders. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges are on the roster. Neither provided enough scoring support to close the game. Brunson carried the offensive load, but one player producing 40 points wasn’t enough to beat a team that struggles on the road.
The Pacers shot 52 percent
Indiana shot 52% from the field. The Pacers came in with the league’s worst road win percentage and scored 137 points at Madison Square Garden. Head coach Mike Brown said the defensive effort “wasn’t there.” New York allowed a below-.500 road team to find rhythm early and maintain it through overtime. The defensive performance didn’t match the expectations for a team at 34-20.
The Pacers’ bench outscored the Knicks 43-18
Indiana’s reserves produced 43 points. New York’s bench had 18. The 25-point differential decided the game. Josh Hart recorded a triple-double, but he was the only bench contributor who produced consistently. When Brunson rested, the Knicks couldn’t maintain leads. The second unit’s inability to score allowed Indiana to stay close and eventually force overtime.
New York is 34-20
The Knicks are 34-20 with games remaining before the playoff push. Phil Jackson’s theory holds that teams must reach 40 wins before 20 losses to be championship contenders. New York is at the threshold. Losses to teams with the worst road records raise questions about consistency. The roster includes Brunson, Towns, and Bridges — enough talent to compete. Whether the supporting cast and bench can perform at a higher level determines how far the Knicks go.