New York Knicks take a 2-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers 130-121: Defined by toughness

The New York Knicks overcame injuries to multiple starters to take game two against the Indiana Pacers. The win defines New York’s season so far!

The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 130-121 to take a 2-0 lead in their second-round series. The Knicks dealt with injuries to two key players during the action but still managed to claim victory.

New York leaped out to an early lead, thanks to OG Anunoby’s hot hand. But their momentum came to a halt after Jalen Brunson left the first quarter with a foot injury. Without Brunson, the Knicks looked shell-shocked. Their defense couldn’t stop anyone on the Pacers, and their offense only survived, thanks to Anunoby’s scoring.

With Jalen Brunson back in action at the start of the third quarter, the Knicks experienced a resurgence. Despite not being at his peak due to his injury, Brunson’s presence on the court drew enough attention to create opportunities for other players. However, their momentum was disrupted when OG Anunoby had to leave the game due to a hamstring injury.

That’s when the Villanova trio took over, with help from Isaiah Hartenstein. Brunson fought through injury for a brilliant fourth quarter, and the Knicks pulled away in the clutch. It’s a hard-fought victory, and heroes abound, so let’s discuss the performances.

The Knicks’ starters overcome injuries to win

Jalen Brunson: 29 PTS (11/18 FG, 3/6 3PT, 4/6 FT), 5 AST, 2 REB, 3 STL, 2 TO in 32 mins

Jalen Brunson looked poised for another big game. He hit his first two shots and shredded any help defense with quick passes to the top of the key or weak side. But then Brunson left the game with a foot injury. The entire team looked deflated.

Brunson returned in the third quarter but seemed hesitant about his injured foot. He spent most of the quarter playing the decoy, finding teammates, and letting them do the heavy lifting. Brunson showed signs of laboring as both his turnovers came from stepping awkwardly with that bad foot. But TJ McConnell must have gotten under his skin because Brunson began to attack increasingly as the quarter wore on.

By the fourth, Brunson was in his bag. He shredded defenders, hit jumpers, and finished tough moves inside. The Knicks’ MVP played the entire second half despite being hobbled. He keyed New York’s win on one foot and without Anunoby in the fourth. It was another incredible performance, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for overcoming adversity.

 Donte DiVincenzo: 28 PTS (10/20 FG, 6/12 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL, 1 TO in 43 mins

Donte DiVincenzo locked in early and never let up. He burned the Pacers nearly every time they left him open. DiVo didn’t just shoot but attacked off the dribble and as a cutter. His most exciting moments came as he flew into the lane and at the rim.

The Big Ragu stepped up even more after Brunson appeared injured. As Brunson appeared to be working through his foot injury in the third, DiVincenzo often brought the ball up and started possessions. The sharpshooter even added a healthy dose of rebounds!

DiVincenzo picked up the offense when Brunson needed time, and OG got hurt. He grabbed improbable boards and made a few beautiful passes. This is my favorite performance DiVo’s had in this postseason, and he gets a 4.5 out of 5 for stepping up efficiently.

Josh Hart: 19 PTS (8/12 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 AST, 15 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO in 48 mins

Josh Hart may never sit again. He played the entire game, and for good reason. Hart led all rebounders for the second game in a row, dominating the defensive glass. He did most of his scoring damage off cuts to the basket and transition drives that we’ve come to know and love.

However, efficiency sets this performance apart from Hart’s recent efforts. We didn’t see as many misses at the rim for Hart, which often leads to quick breaks in the opposite direction for opposing teams. He finished everything and added a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter.

Hart finally showed signs of fatigue in the form of a few sluggish rotations, but those lapses were few and far between. He remains the team’s pulse, battling for every possession and often making something from nothing. Hart gets a 4 out of 5, losing a point due to turnovers.

OG Anunoby: 28 PTS (10/19 FG, 4/7 3PT, 4/6 FT), 3 AST, 4 REB, 1 BLK in 28 mins

OG Anunoby sparked the Knicks early and carried them while Brunson was in the locker room. Anunoby played aggressive offense, attacking the rim off the dribble and finishing most of the attempts. He complemented the forays to the rim with three-pointers scattered throughout his performance. 

With Brunson down, most of the Knicks struggled offensively. But Anunoby continued to find the ball and attack. He scored important baskets to keep the game from getting out of reach before Brunson returned. 

Anunoby’s defense kicked into another gear in the third quarter, as his side of the court looked impossible to attack. It reminds me of “Revis Island” when OG locks in like that, forcing the opposing offense to operate on the opposite side to get anything going. Unfortunately, Anunoby seemed to pull a hamstring during a fast break and never returned.

OG gets a 4.5 for being well on his way to his best game as a Knick before an injury cut his night short. I pray we get good news and he’s able to return soon.

Isaiah Hartenstein: 14 PTS (5/7 FG, 4/4 FT), 8 AST, 12 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 39 mins

Isaiah Hartenstein’s passing surprised the TNT broadcast team, with Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy marveling at the big man’s playmaking early. Knicks fans are used to Hartenstein’s ability to find cutters, but he was better than ever. At one point, I-Hart skipped a pass that took two bounces en route to a cutting Josh Hart for two points. 

I-Hart’s passing highlighted a spectacular overall performance. He gobbled up boards on both ends and often cleared the way for Josh Hart to fly into space for the rebounds Hartenstein couldn’t grab. The big man scored inside with force while shutting down Myles Turner at the opposite end. Hartenstein’s defense is easy to miss against a perimeter-oriented opponent, but he’s not letting anyone near the rim on his side of the defense.

I-Hart barely missed a triple-double and keyed the Knicks’ ball movement. He punished Indiana’s double-teams on Brunson and stole extra possessions off misses. It’s one of Hartenstein’s best postseason performances, and he gets a 4.5 out of 5 for the effort.

New York’s second unit is still slacking

Miles McBride: 4 PTS (1/4 FG, 0/2 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 AST in 20 mins

Deuce McBride hit a jumper early that gave me hope for a big game. But he cooled off after, which I can’t really blame. McBride entered the game at an odd time due to Brunson’s injury, and the entire team looked deflated during that stretch. So, at the worst moment, McBride was thrust into a more prominent role.

But whether McBride’s scoring or not, New York desperately needs him to slow down TJ McConnell. McConnell has been the catalyst for Indiana’s bench in both games, and McBride can’t keep the Pacers’ pest out of the paint. McConnell even started cheesing and taunting the Garden crowd this time.

As injuries pile up, the Knicks need Deuce to step up more and more. But he hasn’t found his footing in this series. McBride gets a 1.5 out of 5 for another tough game.

Precious Achiuwa: 8 PTS (4/5 FG), 5 REB in 28 mins

Precious Achiuwa’s game is tough to score. He gave us flashes of quality play scattered among struggles for most of the first three quarters. Achiuwa didn’t clear the boards as effectively as Hartenstein or Robinson usually do. It’s unfair to compare a big man to two of the best rebounders in the league, but we’ve been spoiled.

We’ve seen Precious battle on the glass before. We know he can be a dominant force and an energizer, which came to light in the fourth. As the game came down to the wire, Achiuwa got active, adding two of his three offensive boards in crucial clutch moments. Precious also added a coast-to-coast drive and finish and a clutch dunk in the fourth.

Achiuwa gave New York good minutes off the bench. But we’ll need him to be even better to keep the winning up. Precious gets a 2 out of 5 for getting into the flow during the clutch.

Alec Burks: 0 PTS (0/1 FG) in 1 min

Alec Burks entered the game for the final play of the first half. Unfortunately, he missed the shot.

Tom Thibodeau is running out of players

I’ve never been more frustrated than watching TNT’s postgame talk about Tom Thibodeau wearing his players down. I don’t know what Thibs is supposed to do when his best two players each miss a quarter with injuries. The injuries have piled up, and Thibodeau has steered the ship to a two-game lead in the second round of the playoffs without key players. 

Thibodeau’s reputation is one thing, but everyone should acknowledge that his hands are tied. Maybe he can find minutes for Burks or Shake Milton and spot moments to sneak Jericho Sims on the floor. But Thibodeau’s almost out of options, and the fact that New York is still winning games is a testament to Thibs’ fantastic coaching this season.

Closing Thoughts: 

Knicks’ fam, I have an admission to make: I’m nervous! Jalen Brunson fought through a foot injury, and OG Anunoby couldn’t finish the game. Randle and Robinson are done for the season, and we’re running out of healthy players.

But if that all sounds familiar, it’s because that’s been the story all season. The Knicks have dealt with injury after injury and found ways to win. Their journey to the second seed was improbable, but they gutted out win after win. Game two was a microcosm of the entire year as New York’s toughness defied the odds.

Can the Knicks keep it up? I have no clue. The games will only get tougher from here. But I’m proud of this squad, and we’ve learned that they’ll always find a way to fight. 

Game three is on Friday, and I’ll have eyes on the injury report leading into the action. But regardless of who plays, we can meet back here to discuss it. I’ll see you next time, Knicks fam!