New York Knicks lose to the Indiana Pacers 138-135, down 0-1 in the ECF: Choking at the free throw line

The New York Knicks blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost to the Pacers in overtime 138-135. The loss puts Indiana ahead in the Eastern Conference Finals 1-0.

The teams played fast-paced, with both offenses clicking early. But New York took a lead in the second quarter that they wouldn’t surrender until the end of regulation. The Pacers made runs throughout the game, but New York always came up with an answer.

The Knicks made a run in the fourth quarter to push their lead to 14 with four minutes on the clock. But Aaron Nesmith made four three-pointers, and the Knicks played sloppy basketball during the final minutes. New York missed two free throws in the final 14 seconds of action, and Indiana forced overtime on a jumper from Tyrese Haliburton.

Overtime might have been different if a goaltending call had been made on a Jalen Brunson layup attempt. The missed call led to a transition three that gave Indiana momentum. But after leaving 12 points at the free throw line, there are no excuses for the Knicks’ loss.

Let’s look at the deflating loss through the performances.