NEW YORK (AP) — When the Indiana Pacers achieved one of the most impressive offensive seasons in NBA history, it was only a prelude to their remarkable performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. On Sunday, they delivered an extraordinary display by shooting 67.1% from the field, a new NBA playoff record, to defeat the New York Knicks 130-109. This victory propelled the Pacers into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a decade, with Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge by scoring 26 points.
“We have a historic offense obviously, but this guy got things rolling and everybody kind of just followed suit,” said center Myles Turner, acknowledging Haliburton’s leadership. He added that achieving such a feat on the road at Madison Square Garden in a decisive Game 7 was phenomenal and reflective of their season-long performance.
Throughout the regular season, the Pacers averaged 123.3 points per game, the sixth highest in NBA history, and set a record by scoring 140 points in 11 games. Their momentum continued into the playoffs, highlighted by an astonishing first-half shooting performance where they made 29 of 38 shots, achieving a 76.3% shooting percentage—the highest in the postseason since 1997. Despite the Knicks’ efforts to close the gap, the Pacers maintained their lead, heading into halftime with a 70-55 advantage and pulling away further in the second half.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle remarked on the historical significance of winning a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, emphasizing the team’s resilience and skill. The sixth-seeded Pacers will now face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in a series starting Tuesday, marking their first conference finals appearance since 2014.
The Knicks faced significant challenges, with Jalen Brunson leaving the game in the second half due to a broken left hand. Additionally, OG Anunoby, returning after missing four games with a hamstring strain, was visibly struggling and played only five minutes. Despite the injuries, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard each scored 20 points, and Aaron Nesmith had a perfect shooting night with 19 points. Donte DiVincenzo was a standout for the Knicks, scoring 39 points and making nine three-pointers.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau expressed pride in his team’s effort throughout the season, despite the disappointing outcome. Jalen Brunson, who had been a key player throughout the playoffs, finished with 17 points and nine assists. Alec Burks added 26 points off the bench. This Game 7 was a chance for the Pacers to showcase their fast-paced style in a high-stakes environment, challenging the conventional wisdom that playoff basketball favors strong defenses.
The Pacers’ first-quarter dominance, scoring 39 points—the highest in a Game 7 since detailed play-by-play records began—set the tone. Tyrese Haliburton, sporting a sweatshirt featuring Reggie Miller’s iconic playoff gesture, highlighted the Pacers’ ability to maintain their offensive tempo even in the postseason. The Knicks’ early enthusiasm turned to frustration as the Pacers consistently made difficult shots. Despite a brief Knicks rally in the third quarter, turnovers allowed the Pacers to reestablish a comfortable lead, securing their path to the conference finals. Josh Hart, battling an abdominal strain, contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for the Knicks before fouling out.