A Historic Stand in IndiaNapolis

The Indiana Pacers defied history, leveraging Pascal Siakam’s 25-point performance and a dominant second-half defense to secure a 116-103 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This result sets up a winner-takes-all Game 7 in New York on Monday, echoing the legendary 1994 clash that epitomized their rivalry.

A Tale of Two Halves

The Knicks, riding momentum from their Game 5 upset, started strong. Jalen Brunson—now the franchise’s all-time leader in 30-point playoff games—scored 14 points in the first quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns added 10 rebounds by halftime as New York held a 52-48 lead. But Indiana turned the tide in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 33-18. Siakam’s mid-range brilliance and Tyrese Haliburton’s resurgence (9 assists) fueled a 17-2 run to erase the deficit.

Defensive Resurgence

Indiana’s defense, criticized after Game 5, tightened in the second half. They forced 12 turnovers and limited Brunson to 12 points after halftime. Myles Turner’s rim protection (3 blocks) stifled Towns, with the Pacers outscoring New York 62-38 in the paint. “Tonight was about pride,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “When we’re locked in defensively, we’re a different team.”

The Rivalry Reignited

The physicality mirrored 1990s-era battles, with Haliburton needling Knicks fans in a nod to Reggie Miller’s iconic “choke” gesture toward Spike Lee. Julius Randle, sidelined since Game 3 with a foot injury, watched from the bench as tensions flared.

What’s Next?

Game 7 at Madison Square Garden will be the first elimination game there since 1995. For New York, Brunson’s durability (44 minutes in Game 6) is key. Indiana must replicate its third-quarter dominance. As this 2020s rivalry surges toward its climax, one truth remains: this series delivers playoff drama for the ages.

Keywords: New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, 2025 Eastern Conference Finals