Inside the NBA REACTS to Knicks vs Pacers Game 3 Highlights
.
.
.
play video:
Inside the NBA Reacts to Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3: A Stunning 20-Point Comeback and What It Means for the Series
Introduction: A Series for the Ages
When TNT’s Inside the NBA crew predicted a classic series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, few could have imagined the drama that would unfold in Game 3. After two nail-biting contests, Game 3 delivered the most jaw-dropping moment yet—a 20-point Knicks comeback on the road, turning what looked like a certain Pacers victory into a 106-100 New York win and a 2-1 series lead for Indiana. The result sent shockwaves through Gainbridge Fieldhouse and set the stage for what might become an all-time playoff rivalry.
After the final buzzer, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley gathered on set to break down the action, analyze what went right (and wrong), and look ahead to the rest of this electric series.
The Game: Knicks Rally from the Brink
The Pacers came out of the gate firing, running and gunning their way to a 20-point lead late in the second quarter. The crowd was roaring, the energy was palpable, and it seemed like Indiana was on its way to a commanding 3-0 series lead. But the Knicks, who have built their postseason identity on grit and resilience, refused to fold.
As Ernie Johnson opened the show, he reminded viewers, “After Game 1, I said I’d take seven of these in this series. I didn’t really think it was going to happen this way, but we’ve got three in the books and all three have been dynamite here on TNT.”
The Knicks’ comeback was fueled by unlikely heroes off the bench and a stifling second-half defense that held Indiana to just 42 points over the final 24 minutes. “The Knicks actually played their bench and they played well,” said Charles Barkley. “It was unbelievable. Congratulations to the Knicks. But if you look at just common sense, the Pacers only scored 42 points in the second half. The Knicks scored 36 in the fourth quarter alone.”
The Turning Point: Bench Players and Belief
For much of the season, New York has relied heavily on its starters, especially Jalen Brunson. But in Game 3, the bench delivered when it mattered most. Kenny Smith pointed out a key stretch late in the second quarter: “With 45 seconds to go, the Knicks were down 18. They go on a 5-0 run without their best players on the floor. To me, that was the difference. That kept the game manageable.”
The Knicks were +12 with Brunson on the bench, a testament to the depth and readiness of the supporting cast. “They trusted their bench,” Smith said. “Can they win a series with Brunson off the floor? No. But can they play well without him? You have to trust it. It worked tonight.”
Charles Barkley added, “I’m hoping this is a wake-up call for Brunson. You’re going to have to get off the ball. The Knicks’ best spurts in this series have come when everybody’s getting involved.”
Pacers’ Collapse: Half-Court Woes and Lost Momentum
While the Knicks’ resilience was remarkable, the Pacers’ second-half performance left much to be desired. “The Pacers cannot beat the Knicks if they play a half-court game,” Barkley explained. “Their half-court offense is not that good. They have to get out and run.”
The numbers told the story: Indiana had 14 fast-break points in the first half but just two in the second. Their bench, so productive early, was outscored 15-4 in the second half. A key injury to Aaron Nesmith midway through the third quarter further sapped their momentum, but the Pacers still entered the fourth with a comfortable 10-point lead.
“You’ve got to close out at home,” Shaq said. “But you can’t if you’re just walking the ball up and down the court like they did.”
The Fourth Quarter: Knicks Take Over
The final frame belonged to New York. Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT), who had only four points in the first half, exploded for 20 in the fourth. “He just woke up,” Barkley said. “He played well. The Knicks continue to fight, and that’s why they were able to get the win tonight.”
Jalen Brunson returned from foul trouble to close the game with poise, giving the Knicks the lead for good at 100-98. Myles Turner’s late three-point attempt rimmed out, and Josh Hart—playing heavy minutes off the bench—sealed the victory with clutch play on both ends.
Shaq summed it up: “The Knicks are the only team to be down 20 points in three games and come back. Shows they have the resilience and the fight.”
Jalen Brunson Interview: Teamwork and Trust
After the game, Jalen Brunson joined the Inside the NBA crew for a postgame interview, shouting over the chants of Knicks fans celebrating behind the set.
“That’s what we’re built on,” Brunson said. “We’re built on great team chemistry, built on togetherness. It’s tough watching from the sidelines, but I’ve got the utmost faith and confidence in them. That’s what they did tonight.”
Asked about the voices that kept the team fighting after falling behind by 20, Brunson credited everyone: “There were a couple—PJ, obviously Tibbs (Coach Tom Thibodeau), my pops. Everyone was encouraging. Keep fighting, keep fighting. And that’s what we did.”
Brunson was also candid about his own performance: “I’ve got to stop fouling, stop turning the ball over, be a better leader on and off the court. But my teammates—they’re loud, I can barely hear myself think right now. But I’ve got so much faith in those guys.”
Coach Thibodeau: Adjustments and Belief in the Bench
Tom Thibodeau, often criticized for his tight rotations, made a significant adjustment in Game 3. He trusted his bench for extended minutes, and they rewarded him with energy and execution.
In his postgame remarks, Thibodeau said, “I thought we got off to a good start. Then we got into foul trouble. Then we finished the half pretty good. And then we were at our best in the fourth. A lot of guys stepped up.”
He praised KAT’s presence, Josh Hart’s all-around play, and the contributions from Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, who provided a spark off the bench. “That’s sort of the mantra of the team. They’re unselfish guys. When someone gets going, you try to keep them going. Everyone’s working together to find open shots, which I think is important.”
Inside the NBA Analysis: Rotations, Resilience, and What’s Next
The Inside the NBA crew debated Thibodeau’s rotations and the impact of the bench. Barkley was blunt: “Everybody likes Tom Thibodeau. He’s a great coach and a nice guy. But I don’t understand his rotations. Shamet was great tonight. Delon Wright was good. He’s going to have to play these guys, man.”
Kenny Smith countered, “He actually played them. He had confidence in them. He played them in moments. He decided to make a change and put Mitchell Robinson in. Maybe he said, ‘I got to the conference finals doing it one way, but now it’s not working.’”
Shaq focused on the Knicks’ resilience: “I like how the Knicks are the only team to be down 20 points three times and come back. Shows they have the resilience and the fight to continue to work.”
All agreed the Pacers let a golden opportunity slip away. “Up 2-0, up 20 at home, you’ve got to finish that game,” Barkley said.
What This Means for the Series
With three games decided by a combined two points, this series is as close as it gets. The Knicks’ comeback not only saved their season but also shifted the psychological momentum. They are now 6-1 on the road this postseason, a testament to their toughness and composure.
The Pacers, meanwhile, must regroup. Their up-tempo attack was stifled in the second half, and their inability to close out at home raises questions about their playoff maturity. As the series heads to Game 4, all eyes will be on Indiana’s adjustments and New York’s ability to build on this dramatic win.
Conclusion: A Playoff Classic in the Making
Game 3 of Knicks vs. Pacers was more than just a basketball game—it was a showcase of heart, strategy, and the unpredictable magic of the NBA playoffs. The Inside the NBA crew captured the emotion and nuance of the night, reminding fans why this series is must-see TV.
As Barkley said, “This is why New York people are crazy. These dudes up here chanting Knicks in 6—they want it, it’s crazy out here.” With the series hanging in the balance, one thing is clear: we’re in for more fireworks, more drama, and perhaps a few more unforgettable comebacks before it’s over.
