Andrew Nembhard’s three-pointer with 16.4 seconds remaining gave the Indiana Pacers the lead in an eventual 111–106 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the second round of the NBA playoff series. The improbable shot followed a three-game layup by Jalen Brunson, who finished with 26 points while battling a right foot injury.
The Pacers closed the best-of-seven series with a 2-1 margin and have a chance to even the series with a victory in Game 4 on Sunday.
Donte DiVincenzo had the best game of his postseason career, scoring 35 points when Brunson wasn’t at his best. He was lethal from three-point range, hitting 7 of 11 from behind the arc. The Knicks, as a team, shot 52 percent from three, making 14 of 27 shots. Miles McBride was 2-of-5 from long range, while Alec Burks was 2-of-4.
Brunson looked limited early, scoring just two points in the first quarter while shooting 1 of 5. But he adapted to the Pacers’ physical defense and scored 11 points in the second quarter. If Indiana thought it could capitalize on a limping Brunson, DiVincenzo helped keep the Knicks close with 15 first-half points, going 3-of-4 on three-pointers.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 35 points to lead the Pacers. He sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter but did not leave the game. Add that to the back spasms he’s dealing with and his effectiveness in Game 4 could be uncertain.
Pascal Siakam added 26 points for Indiana, while Myles Turner added 22 with a crucial block on Hart with two minutes remaining. Unlike the first two games of this series, the Pacers’ bench had little production, contributing 14 points.
With OG Anunoby sidelined with a strained left hamstring, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has had to use reserves like Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims more than he normally prefers. Burks provided a big surprise off the bench. The veteran journeyman scored 13 points in the first half, going 2-2 from three. He finished with 14 points.
Josh Hart grabbed 18 rebounds and scored 10 points for the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson struggled early
Brunson was listed as questionable before Game 3, but there seemed little doubt he would play despite a right foot injury suffered in Game 2.
Indiana tried to test Brunson immediately, with Aaron Nesmith pressuring him all over the court. He wasn’t able to outplay the bigger Nesmith like he did with Haliburton, Nembhard and TJ McConnell in the first two games of the series. The strategy seemed to work, as Brunson did little in the first quarter.
However, Brunson’s foot was likely a factor as well. He was visibly limping on his right foot after playing five minutes in the first quarter, prompting Thibodeau to give his star player a three-minute rest. Whether it was Brunson resting or warming up, he felt better in the second quarter, although he didn’t seem to have the usual momentum in his shot.
Game 4 of the Knicks-Pacers series is scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis. Tipoff is at 3:30pm ET airing on ABC.
