Indiana Pacers edged the New York Knicks 106-104 in a tense NBA matchup on 14 November 2026, holding off a late Knicks rally to secure a narrow home victory. The game featured multiple lead changes and playoff-like intensity, with the Pacers making the bigger plays in the final two minutes.
Match overview
Indiana led 27-25 after the first quarter and 53-51 at halftime, with neither team able to build a significant cushion. The Pacers stretched the lead to 79-73 entering the fourth, but New York responded with a determined run to tie the game in the closing minutes. Indiana then executed on both ends down the stretch, getting a key defensive stop followed by clutch free throws to seal the 106-104 win.
- Final score: Indiana Pacers 106, New York Knicks 104
- League: National Basketball Association
- Date: 14 November 2026
- Game-deciding sequence: A late stop and two made free throws
Key moments
The final two minutes were the story of the game. With the score tied, Indiana forced a contested mid-range miss and secured the defensive rebound. On the ensuing possession, the Pacers attacked the paint, drew a foul and converted both free throws. New York had one last chance to tie or take the lead, but a switched coverage disrupted the Knicks’ action and forced a difficult fadeaway that rimmed out.
Earlier, Indiana’s third-quarter run had given them separation. The Pacers pushed the tempo off made baskets and used quick ball reversals to create open three-point looks. New York answered behind Jalen Brunson’s shot-making and some strong interior play, but the Knicks could not quite complete the comeback.
Tactical story
Indiana’s pace and spacing were central to their success. The Pacers played with tempo, attacked early in the shot clock and generated good looks from beyond the arc. Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the offense with poise, repeatedly finding teammates in the corners and using pick-and-roll actions to force New York into rotation decisions.
New York stayed in the game through physical defense and timely shot-making. The Knicks controlled stretches on the offensive glass and scored well in the paint, but they struggled to contain Indiana’s dribble penetration in the third quarter. In the final minutes, Indiana’s switching defense and disciplined fouling proved decisive.
Standout performers
Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 28 points and 11 assists, controlling the game’s tempo and delivering in the clutch. The Pacers also received strong two-way play from their wings, who combined for timely three-pointers and important defensive stops.
Jalen Brunson paced New York with 31 points, keeping the Knicks alive with tough shot-making throughout the second half. New York’s frontcourt contributed on the boards, but the Knicks’ late-game execution fell just short against Indiana’s disruptive defense.
Season impact
The win gives Indiana a valuable result in the Eastern Conference standings and adds another chapter to a competitive head-to-head rivalry with New York. For the Knicks, the loss is a narrow one that will sting, but their ability to erase a fourth-quarter deficit shows resilience. Both teams will look at this game as a measuring stick early in the season, with Indiana’s late-game poise proving to be the difference.