Following a pair of six-game victories in earlier rounds, the New York Knicks find themselves in a challenging position, trailing 3-1 in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Indiana Pacers after a 130-121 defeat on Tuesday. The series now shifts back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5, presenting an uphill battle for the Knicks, who must contend with the daunting task of winning three consecutive games, two of which will take place at home.

Assessing the reasons behind this 3-1 deficit, attention turns to Jalen Brunson, the Knicks' superstar point guard who recently earned the Clutch Player of the Year award and is averaging 29.9 points per game during the playoffs. Despite these impressive statistics, Brunson's impact is underscored by a concerning minus-26 in the series thus far, suggesting that the Knicks have fared better in his absence, winning non-Brunson minutes by a margin of 15. His ball dominance, while a hallmark of his play, may disrupt offensive rhythm, making it challenging for teammates to stay engaged. Moreover, his size disadvantage against a longer Pacers' roster has made him a target defensively.

Furthermore, players such as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, who were acquired through significant trades, have underperformed despite their high expectations. Bridges is averaging 17.0 points with a 40% shooting from three-point range, while Anunoby is contributing 17.5 points. However, their combined total of 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.8 turnovers in the conference finals indicates a lack of production in key categories. The Knicks invested considerable assets in acquiring this forward duo, and their current contributions fall short of expectations. Although Brunson's playstyle factors into this limited production, both players have the capacity to make a more substantial impact in games.

The performance of Aaron Nesmith has also been pivotal for the Pacers. Despite being questionable to play due to an ankle injury sustained in Game 3, Nesmith produced a significant impact in Game 4, recording a team-high plus-20. His shooting and defensive contributions—particularly against Brunson—have proved crucial. Nesmith’s presence has made it exceedingly difficult for Brunson, demonstrating the impact of defensive strategies in playoff scenarios.

As the series unfolds, depth has emerged as a recurring theme, with the Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder showcasing significant roster strength compared to the Knicks. While New York's front office bears responsibility for the current lack of depth, coaching decisions also play a role. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has historically relied heavily on his starters, leading to a situation where a limited number of players are prepared to handle playoff pressure. This season, the regular contributors—Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns—have dominated minutes, and with Brunson missing 17 games due to injury, this over-reliance may have limited opportunities for younger, developing players.

Ultimately, the challenge posed by Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton has been overwhelming. Named in an anonymous player survey as the league's most overrated player, Haliburton has transcended expectations during the postseason, highlighted by a historic performance in Game 4 where he recorded 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals—no player in league history has matched all these statistics in a single playoff game. His impressive playoff averages of 19.4 points and 9.8 assists further underscore the difficulties faced by the Knicks. While blame can be attributed to various factors within the Knicks’ organization for the current series deficit, Haliburton's performance stands out as a primary driver of the Pacers' success.