NBA roundup: Brunson shines as Knicks battle past Pacers

Jalen Brunson (27) overcame an injury to ignite an impressive second-half comeback, propelling the New York Knicks to a 130-121 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their NBA playoff series.

Brunson, a key player for New York, suffered a foot injury in the first quarter, causing him to miss the rest of the half at Madison Square Garden.

Despite his absence, Indiana managed to build a 10-point lead by halftime and extended it to 12 points in the third quarter.

However, a determined Brunson, who returned in the third quarter despite limping, spearheaded a remarkable turnaround.

The Knicks dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 36-18 to take a 99-91 lead heading into the final quarter. New York then held on to secure the win, outscoring Indiana 31-30 in the fourth quarter.

Brunson finished with 29 points and five assists, while Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby contributed 28 points each. Josh Hart added 19 points and 15 rebounds, with Isaiah Hartenstein making a significant impact defensively with 12 rebounds, eight assists, and 14 points.

Brunson, exhausted, stated, "We have discovered a method. It all begins with our routines - we have emphasized improving the little things from the very start, as you never know when they will come in handy during a significant game. Our focus is on executing the little things effectively every day, and we take pride in that."

The Knicks paid a price for their victory, as they were already without key players Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic due to injuries. In addition to Brunson's injury on Wednesday, Anunoby also left the game in the third quarter due to a hamstring issue.

Despite the challenges, the Knicks managed to hold off the Pacers, with Brunson scoring 14 crucial points in the fourth quarter and DiVincenzo contributing eight points, including two important three-pointers that kept Indiana at bay.

Coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned that there were doubts about Brunson's availability after missing the second quarter. "We were unsure if he would be able to play, but he found a way to deliver," Thibodeau commented.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 34 points, while Nembhard and Siakam added 15 and 14 points, respectively. Obi Toppin contributed 20 points off the bench.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was ejected in the final quarter after disputing a call that overturned a double-dribble against the Knicks' Hartenstein.

Carlisle criticized the officiating crew, claiming his team was treated unfairly. "I always remind our players not to blame the officials, but we deserve fair treatment. It's disappointing that there's no consistent balance. New York's physical play is rewarded, while ours is penalized," Carlisle expressed.