Knicks Rally Past Pacers with Fourth-Quarter Firestorm to Shift East Finals Momentum

New York Turns the Tide with Stunning Fourth-Quarter Comeback

If there was ever doubt about the Knicks’ ability to fight back, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals blew it away. Down by 10 with just over five minutes left, New York clawed their way out of danger and left the Indiana Pacers—and their home crowd—scratching their heads after a 106-100 shocker. This win slices Indiana’s series lead to 2-1 and sends a clear message that the Knicks are not rolling over quietly.

The highlight of the night? Karl-Anthony Towns. He threw down a monstrous 24 points, yanked 15 rebounds, and drained three threes. But if you only watched the box score, you’d miss just how wild his fourth quarter was. He snatched 20 of those points in the final 12 minutes, flipping the energy in the building. The Pacers kept trying to stop him, but every shot Towns took in the closing minutes felt inevitable—especially as Indiana’s defense began to wobble.

Jalen Brunson, even with fouls forcing him to the bench in crunch time, still punched in 23 hard-earned points. Every time Brunson got a window, he made Indiana pay, driving hard and hitting mid-range jumpers. Josh Hart didn’t have to do all the scoring—his fingerprints were everywhere—pulling down 11 boards, dropping 11 dimes, and hustling for 10 points. He nearly put up a triple-double, showing he’s the Knicks’ Swiss Army knife when things get tense.

Indiana looked in control for most of the night. Tyrese Haliburton once again filled the stat sheet with 20 points. The Pacers hit their stride in the third, stretching the lead to double digits. But it wasn’t enough. The Knicks ratcheted up the defense in the waning moments. In one of the game’s key plays, Obi Toppin sent a Pacers shot flying with a monster block, turning defense into offense as the Knicks raced down the court to finish the fast break—the exact kind of play that breaks a team’s spirit late in a playoff game.

• Towns scored 20 of his 24 in the fourth.
• Brunson and Hart each found ways to keep New York in rhythm.
• Obi Toppin’s late-game defense stood out with a critical block.

What’s Next for the Knicks and Pacers?

Even with the loss, Indiana still holds the upper hand in the series, now at 2-1. You can feel the pressure mounting, though. They’ve seen what the Knicks can do when momentum swings their way. If Indiana can’t clean up their late-game lapses, Game 4 could turn the series on its head. The Knicks, suddenly alive, are looking to even things up before heading back to their crowd at Madison Square Garden.

The Pacers’ biggest problem? Their offense fizzled in crunch time, and their defense let Towns catch fire. Coach Rick Carlisle now has to figure out how to stop New York’s surging confidence, especially after watching his team give up a once rock-solid lead. Meanwhile, Knicks fans can hardly wait. Game 4 is shaping up to be a slugfest, and after this latest comeback, it’s anyone’s guess who controls the East by the final buzzer.