The New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers matchup in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals has already become a rollercoaster series—but Game 3? That was Six Flags meets Madison Square Garden.
Down 20 points late in the third quarter, most fans were googling “how many broomsticks fit in a trophy case.” But not so fast, said Karl-Anthony Towns, who went full beast mode and turned Gainbridge Fieldhouse into his personal playground, scoring 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter alone.
This isn’t just playoff grit—this is historic. The Knicks became the first team since 1997 to pull off three 20-point comebacks in a single postseason. Talk about having nine lives and an unlimited MetroCard.
🧠 Tactical Adjustments: Thibodeau Finally Tweaks the Formula
Let’s be honest—Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has sometimes treated his starting lineup like it’s sacred scripture. But with his usual unit getting trounced by the Pacers, he finally pulled a fast one:
- Mitchell Robinson started over Josh Hart
- The Knicks rolled out a two-big lineup, giving Towns more help (and more room to operate)
The result? A resuscitated team that didn’t just avoid a sweep—they roared back like they’d been shot out of a cannon.
🎯 Key Stats and Players: Towns, Brunson, and Hart Deliver (Eventually)
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 24 PTS, 15 REB (20 PTS in Q4—yeah, you read that right)
- Jalen Brunson: 23 PTS (on a rough 6/18 shooting night)
- Josh Hart: Just 8 PTS, but a massive offensive board and clutch free throws late
Even Hall of Famer Charles Barkley had a message for Brunson post-game:
“You gotta get off the ball, man. Let your team eat too.”
With Brunson in foul trouble and misfiring, it was Towns and Hart who served the comeback special.
🏁 The Pacers’ Early Dominance: Too Much, Too Soon?
Let’s not forget: Indiana came out like a freight train.
- Pascal Siakam looked unstoppable after his Game 2 outburst
- A 29-9 second-quarter run gave them a 20-point cushion
- Fans were partying like it was the Indy 500 (which, coincidentally, also happened that day)
But playoff leads are like NFTs—highly volatile and often not worth what you think.
🎰 188BET Insights: Odds Shift After Game 3 Comeback
Before Game 3, sportsbooks like 188BET had the Pacers as -300 favorites to close the series in 5 games. Now? The odds are a whole lot tighter.
- Knicks to win series: Now +160 (from +400)
- Game 4 spread: Indiana -2.5
- Towns to score 25+ in Game 4: Odds improved to +150
Clearly, bettors are waking up to the Knicks’ comeback culture.
🚨 Game 4: The Real Pressure Starts Now
With the Knicks clawing back to 2-1, all eyes turn to Tuesday night’s Game 4. If they level the series, they head back to Madison Square Garden with all the momentum—and a crowd louder than a Taylor Swift concert during a playoff blackout.
🧐 FAQs: People Also Ask
The New York Knicks won Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a 106–100 comeback victory over the Indiana Pacers.
20 points. It was the second-highest fourth-quarter playoff scoring performance by a Knick since play-by-play records began.
Coach Tom Thibodeau inserted Mitchell Robinson and benched Josh Hart, creating a two-big lineup for the first time in months.
The Indiana Pacers lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is scheduled in Indiana, giving the Pacers a shot to maintain home-court dominance.
The Knicks are 6-1 on the road in the 2025 playoffs, proving that MSG magic travels well.
According to 188BET, the Pacers are slight favorites at -2.5, but the Knicks’ odds to win the series have shortened dramatically after Game 3.
✍️ Final Take & Call to Action
The New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers series just got real spicy. With Towns stepping up, Thibodeau finally adapting, and the Knicks showing playoff steel, Game 4 feels less like a basketball game and more like a must-watch episode of “Succession.”
Don’t miss the drama. Drop your predictions in the comments, share this with a fellow Knicks/Pacers die-hard, and [follow for updates leading into Game 4].
Raj Malhotra