Knicks and Pacers Bring Different Paths to Indiana

The Pacers are trying to turn a hard road into a new run forward, while the Knicks arrive carrying the shine of a championship. On Friday night in Indiana, those paths meet in a game that could swing on one big question: Can the Pacers create enough open shots without Tyrese Haliburton?

Indiana was 4-8 through Wednesday, but its latest result was a 114-101 win over Washington. That victory offered a reminder of what this group can be when it plays with pace, shares the ball, and lets Pascal Siakam attack. Siakam leads the Pacers with 22.7 points per game. He is a versatile forward who can drive at bigger defenders, work near the basket, and find teammates when extra defenders rush toward him.

Haliburton has been listed out with a hamstring injury, even though his expected return is Friday. His status matters most because he is Indiana’s spark plug. In only four games, he has handed out 9.5 assists per game, meaning nearly 10 teammate baskets begin with his pass. If he cannot play, Andrew Nembhard will have an even larger job. Nembhard has been steady, scoring 17.1 points per game while delivering 7.8 assists. His sharp shooting from deep can stretch New York’s defense, too.

The Pacers shoot 46.8 percent from the field, better than New York’s 43.6 percent. Yet Indiana has been hurt by a minus-2.4 average scoring margin, which shows many of its games have slipped away in key stretches. Protecting the ball will be vital against a long, active Knicks group. T.J. McConnell is questionable, and his availability could matter for Indiana’s guard depth.

New York, 6-5 through Wednesday, is still learning the daily challenge of following a title. The Knicks split their last two games, crushing Milwaukee before falling to Cleveland. Jalen Brunson remains the team’s lead storyteller with the ball. His quick changes of speed, clever footwork, pull-up jumpers, and 26 points per game give New York a reliable way to find points when a possession gets tight.

Brunson’s strongest partner may be Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 13.5 rebounds. That is a giant number because rebounds end the other team’s chance and give the Knicks another chance of their own. New York collects 48.1 rebounds per game, far more than Indiana’s 41.1. Towns can also pull a center away from the hoop with his outside shooting, opening lanes for Brunson and cutting wings.

Josh Hart is listed out with an illness. If he remains unavailable, New York loses a nonstop worker who rebounds and defends with energy. Still, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges give the Knicks strong wing defenders for Siakam and Nembhard.

Indiana has the home floor and an offense built to move quickly, but New York’s size, rebounding, and proven late-game creator make the difference. Prediction: The Knicks win.