Knicks Stun Pacers in Game 3: A Series that Refuses to Lose Its Intrigue
The Eastern Conference finals have been a wild ride so far, with the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks trading blows and refusing to back down. After three games, the Pacers lead the series 2-1, but the margin is razor-thin, with New York outscoring Indiana by just two points over the course of the series. The Knicks are looking to stay alive in the series, and their Game 3 win on Sunday was a major upset.
According to The Ringer, "The Eastern Conference finals have been a tale of heartbreak and heroism so far. After three games, the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks should both feel like they’re one win away from the NBA Finals. Both have blown leads. Both have made steely comebacks. Both have been punched in the stomach." (The Ringer, "Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 3 Recap").
The Pacers’ struggles in Game 3 were largely due to their poor shooting from beyond the arc, where they finished 5-for-25. The team also suffered a significant blow when Aaron Nesmith went down with a nasty ankle injury. As The Ringer notes, "Indiana built its lead going at [Jalen] Brunson repeatedly in various ways. The Pacers were smart about finding Brunson whenever he was crossmatched in transition or after the scramble from an offensive rebound." (The Ringer, "Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 3 Recap").
New York’s win was largely due to the play of Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 20 points, eight rebounds, and just one foul in the fourth quarter. As The Ringer reports, "KAT had 20 points, eight rebounds, and just one foul in the fourth quarter. His true shooting was 85.9 percent and his usage rate was 48.1. This is someone who just made an All-NBA team and finished Game 1 with 35 points on 17 shots." (The Ringer, "Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 3 Recap").
The Pacers’ decision to guard Towns with Myles Turner or Tony Bradley proved costly, as the Knicks’ big man was able to exploit them with ease. As The Ringer notes, "In this series, Towns has been too quick for Indiana’s centers and too strong for its forwards. That doesn’t mean the Pacers are out of options, though. Expect more double-teams and different matchups going forward, along with better recognition of where he is in transition, particularly trailing for 3s." (The Ringer, "Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 3 Recap").
Despite the loss, the Pacers still have the upper hand in the series, but the Knicks are now very much in the mix. As The Ringer concludes, "The playoffs are all about exposure. After three games, the Knicks and Pacers have both done a pretty good job of identifying each other’s more vulnerable spots and then applying as much pressure as they can. Time will tell which side will relent first. What a series." (The Ringer, "Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 3 Recap").
The series now shifts to Game 4, where both teams will look to make adjustments and gain an advantage. With the series still wide open, it’s anyone’s guess who will emerge victorious. One thing is certain, though: this series has been an absolute thriller, with The Ringer providing expert analysis and commentary throughout.
Source:
https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/26/nba/new-york-knicks-indiana-pacers-game-3-nba-playoffs-2025
Written by Michael Pina, Senior Staff Writer at The Ringer.
