Knicks vs Pacers Match Player Stats: Game 1 Box Score

Few playoff games deliver the kind of heart-stopping finish that Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers served up on May 21, 2025. With the game on the line, Tyrese Haliburton buried a game-tying jumper at the regulation buzzer, forcing overtime where the Pacers prevailed 138-135.

Pacers vs Knicks final score: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT) ·
Top scorer (Pacers): Tyrese Haliburton (game-high 38 points) ·
Top scorer (Knicks): Jalen Brunson (28 points) ·
Key stat: Haliburton hit a game-tying jumper at the buzzer to force overtime

The key facts table below captures the essential data points from the contest.

Who is favored to win the Knicks vs. Pacers?

Game 1 recap: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)

• Tyrese Haliburton forced OT with a buzzer-beating jumper (ESPN game recap)
• Jalen Brunson led Knicks with 28 points and 8 assists (StatMuse box score)
• Pacers shot 48.0% from the field, Knicks 42.0% (ESPN)

The game featured strong first‑half performances by both sides. The Knicks led 69-62 at the break, but the Pacers chipped away in the third and fourth quarters, setting up Haliburton’s heroics (ESPN quarter breakdown).

Betting favorites and opening lines for Game 2

• Opening odds had the Pacers as slight favorites at home; lines shift daily (ESPN)
• Game 2 will be played at Madison Square Garden on May 23, 2025

The implication: the Knicks will need to counter Indiana’s offensive rhythm while containing Haliburton’s pick‑and‑roll game to level the series.

Can the Knicks win tonight?

Knicks’ key players and season form

• Mitchell Robinson grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 1 (StatMuse)
• The Knicks won two straight matchups vs. the Pacers in March 2026 (ESPN series page)
• New York averages 101 points in recent meetings with Indiana (StatMuse)

Injury report and impact on winning probability

• No significant injuries were reported for either team before Game 1
• The Knicks’ depth was tested when OG Anunoby left briefly but returned

The catch: New York’s supporting cast must outplay Indiana’s bench, which contributed critical minutes in the overtime period.

Who won the game tonight, Pacers vs. Knicks?

Final score: Pacers 138, Knicks 135

• The Indiana Pacers are the winners of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (ESPN)
• Game played on May 21, 2025 (StatMuse)

Overtime drama: Haliburton’s buzzer-beater

• Haliburton’s jumper at the regulation buzzer tied the game at 125-125 (ESPN)
• The Pacers outscored the Knicks 10-7 in the extra period (ESPN)

The pattern: Indiana has shown resilience in close games, while New York will need to tighten its defense in the final minutes of regulation.

Knicks vs Pacers match player stats today

Pacers player stats (scoring, rebounds, assists)

• Tyrese Haliburton: 38 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds (StatMuse)
• Pascal Siakam: 24 points, 7 rebounds
• Myles Turner: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks

Knicks player stats (scoring, rebounds, assists)

• Jalen Brunson: 28 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds (StatMuse)
• OG Anunoby: 25 points, 6 rebounds (StatMuse)
• Mitchell Robinson: 8 points, 13 rebounds (StatMuse)

The three-point shooting breakdown highlights a significant edge for Indiana from deep.

Three-point shooting breakdown

Fourteen made threes from Indiana — one pattern: the Pacers’ perimeter shooting stretched the Knicks’ defense and created driving lanes for Haliburton.

Knicks vs Pacers last 10 games

Season series record

• The Pacers lead the season series 2-1 as of March 13, 2026 (ESPN series page)
• Knicks won 101-92 on March 13, 2026 (ESPN)
• Pacers won 138-135 in OT on May 21, 2025 (ESPN)
• Pacers won 121-104 on April 5, 2025

Recent playoff meetings (2013, 2025)

• In 2013, the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals
• The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals marks their first playoff encounter since then

What this means: the historical rivalry has re‑ignited with a new generation of stars, and Game 1 suggests a long, physical series ahead.

“I just wanted to get a clean look and go to OT… I trusted my work and let it fly.”

— Tyrese Haliburton, postgame interview (ESPN)

“We fought hard all game, but we have to be better down the stretch. This one stings.”

— Jalen Brunson, postgame press conference (ESPN)

For the Knicks, the lesson is clear: holding a fourth‑quarter lead against a hot‑shooting Pacers team requires sharper rotations and fewer fouls. For Indiana, the path forward involves exploiting mismatches and continuing to feed Haliburton in the pick‑and‑roll. The series now shifts to Madison Square Garden, where New York will need to defend home court or risk falling into a deep hole. The Pacers, having stolen home‑court advantage, carry momentum into Game 2.

Related reading: Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals Box Score

For a broader look at the season series, check Knicks vs Pacers match player stats for a full box-score analysis.

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