The New York Knicks appeared to have Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals secured before a dramatic turn of events transpired. In front of a captivated crowd at Madison Square Garden, the Indiana Pacers overcame a 14-point deficit with just over two and a half minutes remaining, ultimately forcing the game into overtime and emerging victorious with a score of 138-135.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged the offensive threats posed by the Pacers in the aftermath of the loss, noting the contributions of Aaron Nesmith and Tyrese Haliburton. "They can score the ball. Aaron Nesmith got loose. Tyrese Haliburton hit big shots. You just can never let your guard down against them. No lead is safe," Thibodeau remarked. Nesmith showcased his shooting prowess, converting six three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, while Haliburton’s fadeaway jumper, just inside the three-point line, was pivotal in forcing the overtime period. The Pacers remarkably accumulated 20 points in the last two minutes and 39 seconds of regulation.

In overtime, Andrew Nembhard took the reins for Indiana, leading the team with seven points during the extra session. At critical moments, a Pacers player consistently stepped up to make impactful plays. While the Knicks faced scrutiny for their inability to maintain the lead, the Pacers exerted intense pressure that contributed to this comeback. "It's a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle reflected on his team’s resilience in overcoming substantial deficits. With this significant victory, the Pacers have shifted the dynamics of the series, marking a notable morale blow for the Knicks. As history has shown, Knicks fans have endured numerous heartbreaking losses throughout the franchise's past, and this latest setback may be particularly difficult to swallow. To avoid a swift conclusion to the series, the Knicks will need to regroup and seize the opportunity in the following games.