Pacers Collapse as Knicks Rally From 20 Down to Stun in Game 3 Thriller

Knicks Defy the Odds, Pacers Falter in Second Half Meltdown

If you only tuned in at halftime, you’d wonder what went so wrong for the Pacers in Game 3. Indiana owned a 20-point lead at one point in the second quarter and looked like they might coast to a blowout. That dream lasted barely a half. The Knicks, fueled by Karl-Anthony Towns, flipped the script and handed the Pacers a gut-wrenching 106-100 loss.

Towns was the engine for New York, crashing the glass and punishing the Pacers inside and out. He racked up 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting and cleaned up with 15 boards. Every critical moment seemed to feature Towns either pulling down a rebound or drilling a shot that yanked New York closer. When Indiana needed stops or answers in the paint, they simply couldn’t find them.

For fans in Indianapolis, the collapse felt both surreal and painful. The Pacers looked crisp to start. Tyrese Haliburton found his spots and finished with 20 points, but faltered from deep, missing 6 of his 8 threes. As a team, Indiana’s offense just vanished after halftime. They managed a meager 42 points in the entire second half, a drop-off that their fans could barely believe.

Pascal Siakam didn’t dodge the obvious after the game. "We just couldn't buy a bucket out there, and the paint was locked up for us late. Our threes weren't falling, and we let Towns hurt us over and over again," he said, clearly frustrated. The Pacers hit a rough 2-8 from long range in the second half, and players looked hesitant attacking the rim, leading to rushed or contested jumpers.

Defensive Lapses and Knicks’ Grit Shift the Series

The second-half momentum was all Knicks. Players like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart stepped up their defensive intensity, cutting off driving lanes and contesting every look. Down the stretch, New York’s defense forced Indiana into bad shots, while on the other end, Towns kept punishing any defensive mismatch.

The Knicks’ closing surge flipped the game on its head and left Indiana reeling. You could sense the frustration from the Pacers’ bench as the crowd energy faded and shots clanged off the rim. For the Knicks, this comeback — overcoming a 20-point second-quarter hole — wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. They’ve served notice that they’re never out of a game, no matter the deficit.

Heading into Game 4, the Pacers still hold a 2-1 series edge, but momentum can be a tricky thing. Game 3’s collapse will hover in their minds, and the Knicks now know they have the blueprint to punch back. Expect fireworks and plenty of nerves when these teams meet again.