The Thunderous Collapse of the New York Knicks: Analyzing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals
The Athletic has live coverage of Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 from the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference finals.
NEW YORK — The sloppiest play of a historic collapse did not result in a total disaster, but it clearly showcased the New York Knicks’ most troublesome traits . A team that had fought its way to the Eastern Conference finals — one that delivered a franchise-altering dagger from Jalen Brunson in the first round and overcame the defending champions with double-digit comebacks — simply forgot how to inbound the basketball.
With only 12.4 seconds left in regulation on Wednesday night, Indiana Pacers dynamo Aaron Nesmith made the second of his two crucial free throws, shrinking the Knicks’ lead from a comfortable 14 points to just one . This was the pivotal moment when New York completely lost its composure.
Josh Hart took the ball out of the net and instinctively searched for a quick pass to his point guard, as he often does. The 30-year-old’s consistent energy extends beyond just chasing loose balls; he thrives on pushing the pace . Especially with a full-court press looming from Indiana, Hart knew how critical it was to keep moving. However, his teammates failed to keep up.
Brunson dashed down the baseline with two defenders shadowing him, but the rest of his squad was stationary. Mitchell Robinson, not renowned for his ball handling, sprinted in the opposite direction, as his instincts told him to do. Karl-Anthony Towns initially jogged from the low block with his back turned to Hart, only realizing too late that he needed to be prepared to receive a pass. With the clock ticking down, it was essential that someone be ready to draw a foul or take the ball to the rim — and Towns, despite his proficiency as a free-throw shooter, was not ready. OG Anunoby, who was positioned beyond the three-point arc during Nesmith’s free throws, found himself pinned by the slim All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
On a night when all players, including Hart and Brunson, contributed to the meltdown , the urgency was shockingly absent. Hart frantically motioned for reinforcements, but no one arrived in time. He flicked a hasty pass to Brunson, reminiscent of a quarterback scrambling under pressure. But it was too little, too late. Trapped against the sideline and with seconds to spare, Brunson was forced into a risky play that resulted in a turnover, sealing the fate of the Knicks as the Pacers capitalized.
If you are a fan of either the Knicks or Pacers, the horror of what followed is hard to erase from memory. Anunoby converted only one out of two free throws. Haliburton then followed up with a buzzer-beater fadeaway that seemed destined to miss but miraculously fell through the net, knotting the game at 135 and propelling the Pacers to a stunning over-time victory .
During the final stretch of the contest, the Knicks tallied five turnovers in just over five minutes. Brunson’s reckless dish to Anunoby in the closing seconds was particularly egregious. Offensive flow deteriorated as Indiana ramped up the pressure, leading to repeated turnovers that ultimately determined the outcome.
Mikal Bridges, who had previously been a key contributor, seemed to vanish entirely. The speed and talent of the Pacers proved overwhelming for the Knicks, who appeared overconfident after securing a 1-0 series lead .
Nesmith exploded for 17 points , including five three-pointers , in an electrifying conclusion to regulation. Towns’ defensive lapses allowed Nesmith to thrive, as he lingered too far back while guarding screens, providing the Pacers’ sharpshooter ample room to operate. Let alone the moments when Hart lost sight of Nesmith, indicating a troubling breakdown in communication and awareness.
This was the same team, just one game removed from their most formidable performance of the season — a 38-point thrashing of the Boston Celtics that propelled them into their first conference finals in 25 years . Yet, in a matter of hours, they lost their edge and intensity.
But this isn’t a new dilemma for the Knicks. This pattern has become emblematic of their identity. Too often in both victory and defeat, they’ve required wake-up calls — a narrative echoed throughout the playoffs. The familiar mantra, “We have to play 48 minutes ,” has been uttered by head coach Tom Thibodeau and various players, including Brunson, Towns, and Hart.
The Knicks’ trend often proceeds in reverse. Instead of maintaining intensity, they allow themselves to slip into deep holes before finally waking up to claw their way back in. This cycle of living through alarm bells only to hit snooze repeatedly is tiresome.
After surprising comebacks to begin the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston, they faltered defensively in Game 3, leading to a 22-point defeat . The following game against the Celtics, despite a major victory, showcased complacency. Resultantly, they failed to capitalize and suffered another loss shortly thereafter.
As they returned for Game 5, a desperate meeting ensued as they confronted their shortcomings. The lesson was painfully clear: urgency and communication had to be prioritized. Despite showing promise in their Game 6 performance, this was again undone by mental lapses in Game 1 against Indiana.
Could the array of blunders witnessed on Wednesday ring another alarm? The pattern that had defined their season could well continue. Perhaps the Knicks could return to Madison Square Garden with a newfound dedication to detail. If Jalen Brunson can channel his clutch abilities instead of turnovers, and if the team can maintain defensive communication, maybe they could reverse the narrative. They need to remember the importance of simple plays, like ensuring someone is ready for an inbounds pass — a reminder that could very well determine the trajectory of their season.
Yet, even if the Knicks perform like the 1996 Chicago Bulls for a night, history has shown that such momentum can frequently reset, revealing the unpredictable nature of the team. At times they look like champions; at others, the identity of what a champion looks like fades from their grasp.
(Photo of Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart: Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)