NBA Daily Wrap-up

Welcome to NBA Daily Wrap-up on Big Dill Sports! I’m your host, Dillon, bringing you all the excitement from the Eastern Conference Finals. Let's dive into last night's electrifying matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. It was an intense showdown at Madison Square Garden on Friday, May 23, 2025, with the Pacers pulling off a thrilling 114-109 victory, going up 2-0 in the series.

The game kicked off with the Pacers coming out strong, quickly taking a 19-9 lead, showcasing their prowess early on. Yet, the Knicks weren't having any of it. Fueled by contributions from Mitchell Robinson and Deuce McBride, they clawed back, finishing the first quarter narrowly ahead at 26-24. Notable performances from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who combined for 18 points, kept the Knicks alive.

The second quarter belonged to Karl-Anthony Towns. He was on fire, racking up 12 points in just the first six minutes, pushing the Knicks' lead to 40-33. But Indiana wasn’t backing down. Pascal Siakam stepped up, hustling his way to 23 points in the first half, keeping the game tight. By halftime, the Knicks held a slim 52-49 lead, with Brunson keeping up his momentum, scoring 17 points.

As the game marched into the final quarter, it was anyone's guess who would take the win. Tied at 81-81, the Pacers found another gear and charged ahead with a 13-4 run, taking a 94-85 lead following a clutch three-pointer from Siakam. Fast forward to the closing moments: Indiana was ahead 110-100 with just under three minutes left.

The Garden came alive as the Knicks launched a furious 9-0 comeback, spurred on by a crucial basket from Josh Hart, trimming Indiana’s lead to a nail-biting 110-109 with only 14 seconds remaining. But when the pressure was high, the Pacers coolly responded. Aaron Nesmith was a picture of composure, sinking two key free throws. As if the drama wasn’t enough, Jalen Brunson's last-ditch three-pointer missed the mark. Myles Turner grabbed the rebound and tucked the win safely away with two more free throws, sealing the night for Indiana.

Now, let's highlight some standout performances. For the Pacers, our 'big dill' of the day, Pascal Siakam, was nothing short of spectacular. Siakam had a playoff career-high of 39 points, with 3 of those points from beyond the arc, and secured 5 rebounds. His 16-point blast in the first quarter set the tone for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton also shone bright, contributing 14 points, a smart 11 assists, and pulling down 8 rebounds. Then we have Myles Turner, with 16 points and some ice-cold free throws when they mattered most. Aaron Nesmith demonstrated nerves of steel in the game’s dying seconds with his essential free throws.

On the Knicks’ side of things, Jalen Brunson was their fearless leader, dropping 36 points including 5 three-pointers and dishing out 11 assists. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns both put in solid shifts, each scoring 20 points and collecting 7 rebounds. Towns’s 12-point streak in the second quarter was a spectacle, while Mitchell Robinson was a defensive force, snagging 9 rebounds.

This win marks the Pacers' sixth straight playoff victory away from home, which is a remarkable feat. They're heading into Game 3 this Sunday, May 25, with high spirits as the series moves to Indiana. Historically, no team has ever come back from losing the first two games at home in the conference finals, so the odds are certainly stacked against the Knicks.

That’s all for today’s episode of NBA Daily Wrap-up on Big Dill Sports. I'm Dillon, and remember, when the game gets intense, every player is trying to be the big dill. Join us next time as we continue to explore every thrilling moment from the playoffs. Until then, keep it fresh and keep it dill!