After securing a pair of six-game victories in the first and second rounds, the New York Knicks find themselves on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-1 in their series against the Indiana Pacers following a 130-121 defeat on Tuesday. The series will return to Madison Square Garden for Game 5, where the Knicks face a significant challenge in attempting to overcome this deficit. Winning three consecutive games, particularly with two scheduled on home court, presents a daunting task.

Amidst this challenging scenario, an analysis of the Knicks’ struggles reveals various factors contributing to their current predicament. Despite being recognized as an elite talent in the league, point guard Jalen Brunson, who recently earned the Clutch Player of the Year award and is averaging 29.9 points per game in the playoffs, has a troubling minus-26 rating through four games of the conference finals. This statistic indicates that the Knicks have actually performed better during minutes Brunson has not been on the court, winning those stretches by a notable 15 points. While individual plus-minus scores can be misleading over a small sample size, there is a distinct narrative emerging regarding Brunson's impact on the game flow. His tendency to dominate possession can disrupt the offensive rhythm, making it challenging for teammates to stay engaged, especially during sequences when he attempts to draw fouls without success.

Moreover, Brunson's physical attributes have rendered him a target for the length and athleticism of the Pacers. While it would be unfounded to suggest that New York should minimize Brunson's role, an adjustment to his game could enhance team performance. He may need to consider relinquishing the ball more frequently, trusting his teammates to contribute offensively. Simultaneously, forwards Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, while having decent scoring averages of 17.0 and 17.5 points respectively, have not significantly impacted other statistical categories, such as rebounds and assists. Given their significant investments, noted by the Knicks’ exchange of five first-round picks for Bridges and Anunoby being the 32nd-highest paid player in the league, their performance thus far during critical games has been below expectations. Both players are capable of asserting more influence in the series despite the constraints present with Brunson’s playing style.

As the playoffs unfold, health has also played a pivotal role. Aaron Nesmith, who faced an ankle injury that sidelined him for part of Game 3, returned to account for a crucial minutes load in Game 4, earning a team-high plus-20 differential. His contributions included significant three-point shooting, as seen in Game 2, where he shot 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and ended with a plus-12 rating. Furthermore, in Game 1, Nesmith’s late-game surge was integral in shifting the series momentum by scoring 30 points. His defensive efforts against Brunson have proven to be an arduous challenge for the New York guard, complicating his offensive attempts even when he successfully gets to the basket.

Attributing blame for the Knicks’ current struggles further involves considering competitive depth. The Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both leading their respective conference finals series, exemplify teams that possess a substantial bench advantage. In contrast, the Knicks, despite their success during the regular season with 51 wins, may have sacrificed on developing depth as head coach Tom Thibodeau heavily relied on his starters. Five Knicks players ranked high in total minutes, indicating a potential over-reliance on a limited rotation. Such a disparity in depth is especially pronounced when matched against the rapid and relentless playstyle of the Pacers.

Ultimately, while the Knicks must address their internal challenges, it is vital to recognize the prowess of Tyrese Haliburton, whose performance has been exemplary in this postseason. Following a public discussion that labeled him as one of the league's most overrated players, Haliburton delivered an unprecedented performance on Tuesday, recording 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals—a feat unmatched in playoff history. His consistent contributions throughout the postseason, averaging 19.4 points, 9.8 assists, and 2.6 made three-pointers per game, have propelled the Pacers to the brink of the NBA Finals. While the Knicks are undoubtedly facing difficulties that warrant scrutiny, much of the responsibility for their current 3-1 deficit lies with Haliburton's significant impact on the series.