Sunday, May 12 at 3:30 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Game Preview
After a dramatic Game 3 victory, the Pacers have a chance to even their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal series with the New York Knicks with a win in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Andrew Nembhard played the role of unlikely hero on Friday night. The second-year guard missed his first six shots and was scoreless with two minutes remaining in Game 3, but he scored two huge baskets down the stretch.
The first was a layup with 1:55 remaining on a breakaway started by Myles Turner’s chase-down block of Josh Hart to put Indiana up 104-102. After a 3-pointer by Jalen Brunson tied the game at 106 with 40 seconds remaining, Nembhard then buried a 31-foot 3-pointer as the shot clock expired with 16.4 seconds remaining that proved to be the dagger in a 111-106 victory.
Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton threw the ball to Nembhard on the left wing late in the shot clock after the Knicks sent a double team at him. Nembhard briefly bobbled the ball, but didn’t panic, using a step-back move to create separation from Brunson and hoisting a deep three that swished through the net, sending the sellout crowd into hysterics.
PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Follow Indiana’s Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>
It was the latest memorable moment in the Pacers-Knicks playoff rivalry that seems to always produce thrilling finishes. And it was an important victory for Indiana to jump back into the series. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history, but at 2-1 with another home game for Game 4, the Blue & Gold are now in great position to even the series and turn it into a best-of-three.
Both teams enter Game 4 with their star players battered and bruised. Brunson injured his right foot and missed a quarter in Game 2. He was questionable for Game 3, but wound up playing through discomfort, finishing with 26 points on as many shots in 38 minutes.
The Pacers changed up their matchups for Game 3, putting bigger wing Aaron Nesmith on Brunson instead of Nembhard, a move that was effective for large stretches, as Brunson was less efficient and had five turnovers.
On the other side, Haliburton was brilliant in Game 3, tallying 35 points while going 14-for-26 from the field and 6-for-16 from 3-point range. But he rolled his ankle early in the fourth quarter and though he stayed in the game, he was limping noticeably down the stretch. Haliburton has already been dealing with a sore lower back during the postseason.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner
Knicks: G – Jalen Brunson, G – Donte DiVincenzo, F – Josh Hart, F – Precious Achiuwa, C – Isaiah Hartenstein
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton – questionable (lower back spasms/right ankle sprain), Aaron Nesmith – questionable (sore right shoulder), Bennedict Mathurin – out (right shoulder labral tear)
Knicks: Jalen Brunson – questionable (sore right foot), OG Anunoby – out (left hamstring strain), Bojan Bogdanovic – out (left foot surgery), Julius Randle – out (right shoulder surgery), Mitchell Robinson – out (left ankle stress injury)
Last Meeting
May 10, 2024: Andrew Nembhard’s 31-foot 3-pointer with 16.4 seconds remaining broke a 106-106 tie and proved to be the decisive blow in Indiana’s 111-106 victory.
It was the culmination of a dramatic contest that saw the Pacers go up by 12 early, but fall behind by nine early in the fourth quarter before rallying to tie and ultimately win the game.
Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 35 points and seven assists in the win, going 14-for-26 from the field and 6-for-16 from 3-point range. Pascal Siakam added 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds, while Myles Turner tallied 21 points, 10 boards, and three blocks.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 35 points for the Knicks while going 7-for-11 from 3-point range. Jalen Brunson added 26 points and six assists, while Alec Burks chipped in 14 points off the bench.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers are 4-0 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the playoffs and have won their last nine home games including the regular season. Indiana’s last home loss was on March 18.
- With his performances in Games 2 and 3, Haliburton became just the fifth player in NBA history to score 30 or more points and make six or more 3-pointers in consecutive playoff games, joining a list that includes Stephen Curry (seven times), Donovan Mitchell (twice), James Harden, and Damian Lillard.
- The Knicks lost starting forward OG Anunoby to a hamstring strain in Game 2. He traveled to Indianapolis, but was inactive for Game 3 and seems unlikely to play Friday.
- After Game 4, the series will shift back to New York for Game 5, which will be played on Tuesday night at 8:00 PM ET.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: ABC – Mike Breen (play-by-play), Doris Burke (analyst), JJ Redick (analyst), Lisa Salters (sideline reporter)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers and Knicks will meet again in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, May 12 at 3:30 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
