After quietly dispatching the Bucks and Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers have now turned heads with their commanding start against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 2’s intense back-and-forth showcased a team defined by depth, resilience, and unselfish basketball — proving the Pacers are no longer an underdog but a serious contender.
The rise of an unexpected contender
For much of the postseason, the Indiana Pacers flew under the radar. Their first-round win over a Bucks team without Damian Lillard didn’t spark much excitement. Dismissing the Cavaliers as flawed seemed easy, and many assumed a roster lacking big-name stars couldn’t compete with the NBA’s elite. Yet here they stand, 2–0 up in the Eastern Conference finals, having edged the Knicks 114–109 in a game marked by seventeen lead changes and relentless energy.
“This was a much tighter game than the last one in many ways,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “I thought our guys held their composure really well.” That composure was tested throughout the night as the Pacers matched New York point for point, proving their grit and depth. With the game tied at 81 entering the final quarter, Indiana surged ahead on a decisive 33–28 run to seal the victory.
Pascal Siakam and the Pacers’ versatile weaponry
Game 2 belonged to Pascal Siakam, who delivered a scintillating 39-point performance, most of it in the first half. When Tyrese Haliburton struggled early, Siakam stepped up to provide a dynamic offensive spark. “That’s why we brought him here,” Haliburton said. “That’s what he’s here to do.”
Since being traded from Toronto, Siakam has been a steady force for Indiana, improving his scoring and efficiency. His playoff shooting is a vast improvement over last season, hitting over 41% from three-point range, including a near-perfect 3-for-4 from deep on Friday. “Whatever was out there, I just took it,” he said humbly.
But Siakam is just one piece of a deep and adaptable Pacers squad. Indiana used 11 players in Game 2, with contributions coming from unexpected sources. Role players like Tony Bradley and Ben Sheppard made meaningful impacts off the bench, showcasing the team’s “different weapons,” as Siakam described it. “We just go into the game and however the game presents itself, that’s how we’re going to take it. It doesn’t matter who scores.”
Poise in the pressure cooker of Madison Square Garden
Playing in New York’s Madison Square Garden is one of the most electric and demanding experiences in basketball. With a star-studded crowd and a fan base desperate for a title, the atmosphere was intense. Yet the Pacers matched the energy, staying close through every quarter and refusing to back down.
Haliburton, the team’s floor general, showed his value not only by orchestrating the offense but also by battling for rebounds and creating plays, despite an off shooting night. Coach Carlisle recalled their first conversation when Indiana acquired Haliburton: “I told him we were basically giving him the ball and asked if he was comfortable running the team. His eyes lit up.”
That trust has paid off. While the Knicks struggled—especially Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a minus-20 rating and saw limited minutes late in the game—the Pacers capitalized on efficient shooting and strong team defense, holding New York to 43% from three and 52% overall.
The road ahead: No room for complacency
Despite the 2–0 lead and the growing belief surrounding this team, Indiana remains grounded. “Day 3 of 13,” Carlisle said, emphasizing the long journey ahead. The Pacers are aware that their quest for the Finals is far from over.
With Game 3 back home in Indianapolis — just hours after the famed Indy 500 — anticipation runs high for a “rowdy crowd,” as Haliburton predicted. But for the Pacers, focus remains on taking it “one game at a time.” Celebrations are muted; the locker room buzzes quietly with confidence rather than complacency.
With strong leadership, deep bench contributions, and stars like Siakam and Haliburton rising to the occasion, the Pacers have proven they are very much the real deal. If Game 2 was any indication, this team is ready to keep fighting for a place among the NBA’s elite.
If you weren’t a believer before, now there’s no denying it — the Indiana Pacers are a force to be reckoned with.
