Knicks Edge Pacers in Thriller as Brunson’s Late Three Seals the Deal
Fresh off their NBA Cup title, the Knicks rolled into Indianapolis short-handed but still managed to walk out with a nail-biting 114-113 win over the Pacers. With Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart all sitting out, New York leaned into their depth-and their star point guard-to grind out a win in a game that slipped away from Indiana in the final moments.
For much of the night, it looked like the Pacers had this one in hand. They led by as many as 16 points in both halves, riding a strong start from a revamped lineup that featured Quenton Jackson in place of Ethan Thompson. Jackson brought energy on both ends, and his defensive effort alongside Andrew Nembhard gave the Knicks fits early on.
Nembhard was the engine for Indiana. The second-year guard had one of his best performances as a pro, dropping 31 points while taking on the tough task of guarding Jalen Brunson.
And for most of the night, he held his own. Brunson had to work for everything, finishing with 25 points on 23 shots and logging a -16 while on the floor.
But when it mattered most, Brunson delivered.
With the Pacers clinging to a two-point lead and the clock winding down, Brunson pulled up over Nembhard and buried a cold-blooded three with five seconds left. That shot not only gave the Knicks the win-it capped a brutal final stretch for Indiana, who managed just four points in the final five-plus minutes and only two in the last three.
It was a gut punch for a Pacers team still chasing their first win against a team above .500 this season. And with Rick Carlisle stuck on 999 career wins, the wait for his milestone moment continues.
The loss stings even more considering how well Indiana started. They shot a scorching 70% from the field in the first quarter, but the offense cooled drastically in the second, dipping to just 30%.
Pascal Siakam was steady throughout, finishing with 26 points on 22 shots, while adding six rebounds and five assists. He even went 6-for-6 from the free throw line-an underrated boost on a night when every point mattered.
Outside of Siakam and Nembhard, though, the Pacers struggled to find consistent offense. Bennedict Mathurin couldn’t find the range from deep, going 2-of-9 from three, though he did show flashes in the third quarter by attacking the Knicks’ zone with some nice midrange work. But in crunch time, Indiana simply couldn’t generate enough quality looks.
Meanwhile, the Knicks got timely contributions across the board. Mikal Bridges and Jordan Clarkson combined to hit 9-of-18 from beyond the arc, keeping New York within striking distance all night.
And off the bench, Tyler Kolek was everywhere-scoring 16 points, dishing out 11 assists, and grabbing six boards. His impact was felt all over the court, especially during a second-half stretch where he orchestrated the offense with poise and pace.
For the Pacers, this one will sting. It was a winnable game, even with the Knicks resting key players. But late-game execution continues to be a hurdle, and with a three-game skid now hanging over them, Indiana will look to regroup on the road.
Next up: a Saturday night matchup in New Orleans against a Pelicans team that’s starting to find its rhythm. After a rocky start to the season, the Pels have won three straight behind improved health and the emergence of rookie center Derick Queen. Zion Williamson is also working his way back into the mix, giving New Orleans a more formidable look than their early-season struggles might suggest.
The Pacers will once again be shorthanded, with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (hamstring), and Aaron Nesmith (knee) all still out. That leaves more weight on the shoulders of Nembhard, Siakam, and the young supporting cast to try and snap the skid-and maybe, just maybe, deliver Carlisle that elusive 1,000th win.
Pacers vs. Pelicans Preview
- Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
- When: Saturday, December 20, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
ET
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network
- Radio: 93.5 / 107.5 The Fan
- Odds: Pacers +2.5
Projected Starters
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard, Quenton Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Jay Huff
Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Derick Queen
Injuries - Pacers:
- Tony Bradley (thumb) - questionable
- Kam Jones (G League) - out
- Ben Sheppard (calf) - out
- Aaron Nesmith (knee) - out
- Obi Toppin (hamstring) - out
- Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) - out
The Pacers are still hunting for a signature win-and with seven games left before the calendar flips to 2026, there’s no time like the present to turn things around.