INDIANAPOLIS — In a thrilling NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Indiana Pacers demonstrated resilience by maintaining a late lead to defeat the New York Knicks 106‑104. The game, played at the home arena, saw the Pacers protect an eight‑point advantage with less than two minutes remaining, despite a determined Knicks comeback.
Key Performances
Pascal Siakam led Indiana’s offense with 19 points, delivering a decisive 15‑foot jumper that extended the lead to 106‑98 with 1:49 left on the clock. Aaron Nesmith contributed 18 points, returning after a limited 21‑minute appearance on Wednesday due to right‑knee soreness. Nesmith left the game late on Friday after appearing to injure his hand.
For the Knicks, guard Jalen Brunson posted a game‑high 33 points, keeping New York within striking distance until the final seconds. Brunson’s driving layup with 26 seconds remaining trimmed the deficit to four points, but the Pacers held firm.
Late Drama
With 2.8 seconds left, Indiana turned the ball over, granting the Knicks one final opportunity. Center Karl‑Anthony Towns attempted a 15‑foot jumper at the buzzer, but the shot missed, sealing the Pacers’ win.
Additional contributions came from Pacers guard Kelly Oubre Jr., who added 16 points, and center Ivica Zubac, who recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds, reinforcing Indiana’s interior presence.
Looking Ahead
The victory positions the Pacers for their upcoming road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, where they will aim to extend their momentum. Fans can anticipate another competitive outing as the team seeks to solidify its standing in the conference.
For Indianapolis supporters, the win underscores the Pacers’ ability to execute under pressure and highlights the talent depth across the roster. The team’s blend of veteran leadership and youthful energy continues to energize the local basketball community.
Original reporting: 93.1 WIBC (Indianapolis) — read the source article.
