The New York Knicks now trail 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals following a 114-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers Friday night. Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 20 points, acknowledged the team’s recurring problem of falling behind early.
“We find ourselves in a deficit. Told you how we can’t keep doing that,” Towns said. “It’s not going to — every time we’re going to be able to fight back and find ourselves with a win. So, you know, just got to execute, be more disciplined.”
The Pacers’ fast-paced style has worn down the Knicks, and Towns pointed to execution as the main issue. “You know, we’re just not executing enough. And I told y’all — you know, execute — it comes down to execution. And we’re just not doing enough of that.”
Towns also commented on the mental challenge of staying sharp throughout the 48 minutes against a relentless opponent. “I mean, I think that’s for everybody. You know, you’re in the playoffs. If you’re one of the last four teams, you expect everyone to be great — especially make the playoffs, which is nice.”
Despite the daunting 0-2 hole, Towns rejected the idea of surrendering to history, which shows 93% of teams leading 2-0 win the series. “I told you about the word ‘history.’ I’m not here to repeat it — we’re here to make it,” he said. “If I’ve learned anything, especially last year, as quick as you win two games is as quick as you can lose two games. So, just bank on my experience, and, you know, we just got to execute at a higher level.”
The Knicks struggled to counter Indiana’s double-big lineup late in the game. Towns said he would need to study the game tape for a clearer understanding. “I got to watch the tape so I can have a good answer for that.”
Regarding his partnership with Mitchell Robinson on defense, Towns said, “We just got to do whatever it takes to win.”
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 39 points as Indiana extended its postseason road winning streak to six. Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points and 11 assists, while Myles Turner contributed 16 points with a +17 plus-minus.
The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scored 36 points and dished 11 assists but could not overcome a slow start in the fourth quarter when the Pacers pulled ahead with a 13-4 run.
As the series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Sunday, the Knicks face a steep challenge to avoid going down 3-0 in the conference finals, a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome.
