In a crucial Eastern Conference clash on March 14, 2026, the New York Knicks secured a hard-fought 101-92 road victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Knicks used a dominant defensive performance in the second half to pull away, solidifying their playoff positioning while dealing a blow to the Pacers' own postseason aspirations. The game was tightly contested through the first half, with both teams trading baskets and the Pacers' fast-paced offense finding some early rhythm. However, the turning point came in the third quarter as the Knicks' physical defense began to stifle Indiana's flow, forcing a series of contested shots and turnovers. New York capitalized with a decisive run, building a double-digit lead that they would never relinquish. The Pacers struggled to find consistent scoring outside of sporadic bursts, and every attempt at a fourth-quarter rally was met with a timely bucket or stop from the visiting Knicks. A key focus point was the battle in the paint, where the Knicks' size and rebounding prowess ultimately overwhelmed the Pacers. New York controlled the glass, generating crucial second-chance opportunities while limiting Indiana's transition game. Standout performances included the Knicks' star forward, who provided a steady scoring punch and defensive intensity, and their point guard, who orchestrated the offense and hit several clutch shots to halt Pacers runs. With this result, the Knicks gained valuable ground in the race for a top-four seed in the East, adding a quality road win to their resume. For the Pacers, the loss highlighted ongoing struggles against elite defensive teams and made their path to the play-in tournament more precarious. Post-game, the Knicks' coach praised his team's resilience and defensive focus, stating, "We knew we had to win the toughness battle tonight, and from the third quarter on, our guys embraced that challenge." The Pacers' coach lamented the offensive dry spells, saying, "We went cold at the worst times. Against a team like that, you have to execute for 48 minutes, and we had too many lapses."