The Knicks’ Playoff Struggles Exposed
The Knicks are running out of time, and everyone watching knows it. Down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Pacers, New York’s playoff hopes hang by a thread. The biggest reason? It’s their defense—something coach Tom Thibodeau usually prides himself on. But this series has been a nightmare on that end, especially when it comes to Indiana’s offensive weapons.
Tyrese Haliburton has turned the series into his personal highlight reel. Take Game 4, for example: 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds. Stats like those aren’t just impressive—they’re historic by playoff standards. He’s slicing through the Knicks’ defense, finding open shooters and rim-running bigs at will. Each time New York tries to trap or double him, Haliburton seems one step ahead, making the right play almost every single possession.
Thibodeau’s system has always emphasized hard-nosed defense, but in this series, it’s just not clicking. The Pacers play at a relentless pace, spreading the floor and moving the ball until someone finds an open look. The results speak for themselves: Indiana is hitting shots inside and out, and the energy inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse has been electric. For New York, every defensive lapse is met with a momentum-shifting play from Indiana.
Brunson’s Burden and New York’s Last Stand
If there’s one player trying to drag the Knicks back from the brink, it’s Jalen Brunson. He’s become the heart and soul of this squad, especially with so much chaos swirling around him. Brunson isn’t just a scorer—he’s New York’s emotional engine. He’s logging huge minutes and carrying a two-way load most point guards never face. Every time the Knicks find themselves waning, it’s Brunson who steps up, finding ways to score or set up his teammates against double teams and collapsing defenders.
But it’s not just offense. The Knicks are desperate for stops, and that means Brunson is taking on more defensive responsibility too. Outsiders often peg him as an offense-first player, but his hustle on defense this postseason has been impossible to ignore. The challenge, though, is massive, especially while chasing Pacers’ shooters and trying to slow Haliburton’s relentless attacks.
All this is playing out against the backdrop of New York’s rough history in elimination games under Thibodeau—they’re just 1-3 with their backs against the wall. That adds even more pressure, both inside the locker room and on the court. Everyone in the building knows what’s at stake. One more bad night on defense, and New York’s season is done.
The Pacers, on the other hand, look ready to close things out early. They’ve shown a killer instinct, taking care of previous rounds in just five games each. With their shooters locked in and Haliburton playing like a man possessed, Indiana can smell the NBA Finals.
For the Knicks, it all comes down to this: Can Thibodeau and Brunson find a way to patch the defensive holes, slow down the Pacers’ high-octane attack, and force the series back to Madison Square Garden? Or will Indiana slam the door shut for good?
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