The New York Knicks dropped a crucial Game 4 to the Indiana Pacers, 130-121, falling behind 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and head coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t sugarcoat the performance postgame.
Speaking after Tuesday’s loss at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Thibodeau addressed the Knicks’ 17 turnovers, which Indiana turned into 20 points. “It was probably a compilation of things,” he said. “The first quarter was problematic. That set the tone for the game — giving up 43 points.”
Thibodeau stressed that live-ball turnovers were especially damaging against the Pacers’ up-tempo offense. “You turn it over against them, particularly the live ball turnovers, you’re fueling transition,” he said. “We started slowly, and then we fought back, but we didn’t close the half well.”
The Knicks struggled to contain Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and zero turnovers — a stat line never before recorded in NBA playoff history. When asked about Haliburton’s effectiveness, Thibodeau emphasized the need for collective defense.
“You don’t guard great players in this league individually,” he said. “If one guy’s not doing their job, everyone’s going to look bad.”
New York’s defense gave up 43 points in the opening frame and allowed Indiana to shoot over 51 percent from the field. Thibodeau attributed many of those defensive lapses to transition breakdowns. “We knew it was going to be a fast game,” he said. “But we hurt ourselves with our turnovers, putting them in the open floor.”
Even when the Knicks mounted second-half runs, Indiana responded. “We kept digging out of holes,” Thibodeau admitted. “You’re not going to get perfection, but strive for it. Fight to win every possession — that matters.”
He also addressed the fourth-quarter minutes given to Josh Hart, who finished with five turnovers before fouling out. “Just, you know, the hustle. Like making defensive transition, getting more continuity into the offense,” Thibodeau said. “Our defense wasn’t good enough. The rebounding was good enough, but the defense and our turnovers probably hurt us.”
On the decision to insert Landry Shamet after Hart fouled out, Thibodeau said, “We wanted some more shooting — just to see if we can get some more threes up over their dose. Yeah, just a little more size.”
Haliburton’s ability to penetrate in both transition and the half court remained a concern. “We tried giving him different looks. We have to just do it better,” Thibodeau said. “Everyone’s got to be tied together.”
The Knicks will now face elimination in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Thibodeau’s message to his team was clear: “Reset and get ready for the next game. You’re not playing the series — you’re playing the game.”
When asked about Karl-Anthony Towns, who appeared to favor his knee late but returned, Thibodeau added, “He was able to go back in, so that’s a good sign. And then we’ll see where he is after he gets evaluated.”
