Sport

Knicks' Startling Struggles: Pacers Sweep Game 2 and Command Series Lead

2025-05-24

Author: Ken Lee

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks find themselves in a precarious situation as they trail 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Despite a record-breaking season, the Knicks' starting lineup seems to be their Achilles' heel.

A Season to Remember, But Not Without Its Twists

For the first time in over two decades, the Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference finals, a feat not achieved since 2000. With 51 wins this season, they have marked their best record since the 2011-12 season and their consecutive 50-plus wins for the first time since the mid-90s. Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns earned All-NBA distinctions, showcasing the team’s renewed strength. Yet, despite this success, the team’s starters are underperforming.

The Starting Lineup: More Harm Than Good?

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has relied heavily on his starting five: Brunson, Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart. But these five players have been outscored throughout the playoffs, revealing persistent issues. From January 1 through the end of the regular season, the starting unit was outscored by a staggering nine points over 379 minutes. During the opening round against the Celtics, that deficit ballooned to 24 points.

A Disappointing Game 2

Friday’s match against the Pacers exemplified their struggles. The Knicks’ starters were outscored by a whopping 29 points in just 43 minutes. Despite Towns’ attempts to rally the team, they couldn't dig themselves out of a hole, sealing a 114-109 defeat that now leaves the Knicks vulnerable in the series.

Time for Change? Thibodeau Faces Tough Decisions

After the loss, Thibodeau faced questions about whether it's time to shake up the lineup. His slight reluctance to make a change raises eyebrows, particularly as fans and analysts critique the ineffectiveness of the current five. Despite his assurances that he’s considering all options, many wonder how much longer he can afford to stick with this script.

Crisis on the Court: The Pacers Expose Knicks' Weaknesses

The Pacers exploited this vulnerability with a blistering start, keenly targeting Knicks’ mismatches. Indiana's All-Star forward Pascal Siakam led the charge with 23 points in the first half alone, exploiting the Knicks' slow adjustments and defensive lapses.

Can the Knicks Bounce Back?

As they head into Game 3 in Indiana, the Knicks must regroup and address their slow starts. Towns recognized the challenges ahead: "It's tough to lose anyway. So, just got to regroup and get ready for the next one." Bridges added, "We might be playing a bit too soft at the beginning of games. We need to come out with more intensity."

The Road Ahead: Must-Win Game 3

With a history of teams with a 2-0 lead winning series 92% of the time, the Knicks face an uphill battle. Thibodeau needs to reassess his strategies and possibly rethink his front line heading into one of the most critical matches of the season. The time for reflection is over; action is imperative.

As the pressure mounts, can the Knicks shift the tide and clinch back-to-back victories? One thing’s for sure: the whole of New York is watching and waiting.