Karl-Anthony Towns exploded for 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, spearheading a furious New York Knicks comeback to defeat the Indiana Pacers 106-100 on sunday. Jalen Brunson chipped in with 23 points as the Knicks clawed back from a 20-point deficit, cutting the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1 in this Eastern Conference Finals showdown.
Towns also hauled down 15 rebounds, battling foul trouble throughout the night, as did Brunson. Game 4 is slated for Tuesday night back in Indianapolis, where the Knicks will look to even the series. The pressure is mounting, and every possession counts.
KAT led the 4Q surge 🫡 pic.twitter.com/XJrUAj5jUC
– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 26, 2025
Tyrese Haliburton paced the Pacers with 20 points and six assists, while Myles Turner added 19. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Knicks’ late surge. This loss continues a peculiar trend for Indiana, who are now 0-4 historically when playing on the same day as the Indianapolis 500.Is it a curse? A coincidence? Fans are starting to wonder.
The home crowd was buzzing, fueled by the energy of the Indy 500 festivities.Team officials distributed gold and blue “Vroom baby” t-shirts, celebrating the unique double-header of pacers basketball and IndyCar racing, especially after the farewell of Spanish driver Alex Palou. Palou received a standing ovation during the second quarter, a moment of international sportsmanship that transcended the hardwood.
the Pacers, celebrating their rich history, also welcomed six members of the 2000 Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, including Hall of Famer Reggie Miller. The presence of these legends added to the electric atmosphere, but ultimately couldn’t propel the pacers to victory.
Indiana initially looked poised to run away with the game, building a commanding 55-35 lead with 3:20 remaining in the first half. However, the Pacers failed to sentence the game after maintaining an advantage of 68-52 at the beginning of the third quarter.
This inability to close out games has been a recurring theme for the Pacers this season, a vulnerability that championship contenders can’t afford.
The Knicks, refusing to surrender, chipped away at the deficit.They cut the lead to 80-70 after three quarters, setting the stage for Towns’ explosive fourth-quarter performance. Brunson’s agility and clutch baskets were also crucial, as New York finally regained the lead at 89-88 with 7:10 remaining. The Knicks never led by more than four points until the final free throws sealed the win with just 2.6 seconds left on the clock. This game was a nail-biter from start to finish,a true testament to the intensity of playoff basketball.
This Knicks victory raises several questions: Can Towns maintain this level of dominance? Will Brunson’s foul trouble continue to be a factor? And can the Pacers rediscover their early-game form and avoid another late-game collapse? These are the storylines that will define the rest of this series.
Looking ahead, the Knicks need to find ways to involve other players offensively to alleviate the pressure on towns and Brunson. The Pacers, conversely, must improve their defensive rotations and limit second-chance opportunities for the Knicks. The adjustments made between games will be critical in determining who ultimately advances to the NBA Finals.
Key takeaways from knicks’ Comeback Victory
To better illustrate the pivotal moments and performances, let’s dive into a statistical breakdown of Game 3:
| Statistic | new York Knicks | Indiana Pacers |
|————————–|—————–|—————-|
| Final Score | 106 | 100 |
| Points in the 4th Quarter | 36 | 16 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns Points | 24 | – |
| jalen Brunson Points | 23 | – |
| Tyrese Haliburton Points | – | 20 |
| Myles Turner Points | – | 19 |
| Rebounds | 48 | 42 |
| Assists | 22 | 19 |
| turnovers | 12 | 10 |
| Field Goal % | 48.8% | 43.9% |
| 3-Point % | 38.5% | 33.3% |
Table: Key Stats – Pacers vs. Knicks, Game 3
Analysis: The Knicks’ superior fourth-quarter performance, spearheaded by towns’ offensive explosion, was decisive. The Pacers’ early lead evaporated as their shooting efficiency dipped. This game highlights the importance of maintaining consistent performance throughout all four quarters of a playoff contest. This “shocking comeback” [[2]] reaffirms the unpredictable nature of NBA playoffs, showcasing the critical role of clutch play and the ability to perform under pressure. Notably, the Knicks’ bench scoring and defensive adjustments deserve further evaluation in Game 4 as they look to tie the series.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: How significant was Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance in Game 3?
A: Towns’ fourth-quarter surge, scoring 20 of his 24 points, was instrumental in the Knicks’ comeback. His ability to dominate offensively with clutch shooting and strong rebounding shifted the momentum decisively in favor of New York. This performance demonstrated his capability to impact games significantly, reinforcing his value as a key player for the team.
Q: What challenges do the Indiana Pacers face after this loss?
A: The Pacers must address their late-game struggles, including improving defensive rotations and managing their offensive possessions under pressure. Their historical struggles on Indy 500 game days, even though possibly coincidental, warrant careful review and corrective measures. The Pacers must rediscover the form that fueled their early lead and maintain it throughout the game.
Q: What is the series situation after Game 3?
A: The Knicks have reduced the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1 [[1]] thus making Game 4 a crucial contest. A Knicks win would even the series, enhancing its competitiveness and potentially turning the narrative towards a longer, more exciting playoff journey. The pressure is squarely on both teams as they attempt to advance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Q: What are the key matchups to watch in Game 4?
A: Key matchups will involve Karl-Anthony Towns and the Pacers’ frontcourt seeking to limit his effectiveness, and Jalen Brunson’s battle, managing or avoiding foul trouble to maintain his offensive output. The Pacers’ defense will be challenged to contain the Knicks’ perimeter shooting and interior scoring, while the Knicks will aim to stifle Haliburton and Turner’s offensive contributions.
Q: Is the knicks’ comeback a historical anomaly?
A: yes. The comeback is a significant upset. Before Game 1, teams that have built a lead as great and as late as the Knicks had were 994-0 in NBA Playoff history [[2]].
/vidio-web-prod-video/uploads/video/image/8324429/real-sociedad-1-2-rayo-vallecano-_-laliga-24-25-match-highlights-2c05ae.jpg "Alemao Goal: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad 3:3 (Video) – La Liga Match Highlights, April 26, 2026, 17:07 – Football Highlights")
