The New York Knicks will take the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse tonight with a fully healthy roster, while the Indiana Pacers remain uncertain about the availability of starting forward Aaron Nesmith ahead of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET as Indiana looks to protect its 2-1 series lead following Sunday’s 106-100 loss.
According to the official injury report, the only confirmed absence for the Pacers is Isaiah Jackson, who remains out with a right Achilles tear and has not played since early November.
Nesmith is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain suffered in the third quarter of Game 3, although he briefly returned late in the fourth.
The 25-year-old has played a key role in Indiana’s perimeter defense and has averaged 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in 32.7 minutes through the first three games of the series.
His potential absence could further complicate the Pacers’ efforts to slow down New York’s wing trio of OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been managing a sore knee, delivered 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3, propelling the Knicks back into the series after trailing by as many as 16 in the second half.
Jalen Brunson added 23 points despite early foul trouble, while Anunoby and Bridges combined for 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting.
New York also outrebounded Indiana 38-37 and shot 90% from the free-throw line, a key factor in closing out the game late.
The Pacers, who had been 6-0 at home in this postseason prior to Sunday’s loss, struggled from beyond the arc in Game 3, converting only 5 of 25 attempts.
Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 20 points and six assists, while Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam added 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The Knicks are aiming to even the series before it returns to Madison Square Garden for a pivotal Game 5 later this week.
Indiana will announce Nesmith’s final status closer to tipoff.
