Jalen Brunson’s bad evils don’t stop knicks from impressive rut by pacers

On By Littum

Indianapolis – Behind Josh Hart’s power, Knicks did not survive Jalen Brunson’s extended stay on the bench – they thrived without him.

Adversity hit early in the second half against Pacers on Tuesday night when Brunson picked up his fourth and fifth errors in quick order.

The Point Guard was subbed out with a nine-point lead and about nine minutes left in the third.

Karl-Anthony Towns rises for a shot, while Thomas Bryant (3) and forward-looking Aaron Nesmith (23) defends during the first half of Knicks’ 128-115 victory over Pacers on February 11, 2025. US Today Sports through Reuters Con

When he returned midway through the fourth quarter, Knicks’ lead was bulging to 16.

And in the end, they only needed eight points in 23 minutes from Brunson, their captain, to blow past Pacers 128-115.

“I wasn’t in help today,” Brunson said. “And just grateful that I have them as teammates and they were incredible.”

So how did Knicks emphatically won their Brunson-less minutes?

Josh Hart (3) puts a set up in front of Thomas Bryant under Knicks’ Blowout Road victory over Pacers. AP

A heavy dose of Hart that fell a season high 30 points and was a one-man-destroying ball in the transition.

Hart left the court after a game high 40 minutes and his first career 30-point double-double.

There wasn’t a gap before the court he didn’t touch on Tuesday.

“Josh played his ass today,” Brunson said. “I don’t know what else to say about it. He was just a monster. “

Knicks also got a strong bench game from Miles McBride and Cam Payne, who won the reserve minutes.

Karl-Anthony Towns meanwhile owned the first half and ended with 40 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.

“It’s a good team over there,” Hart said of Pacers. “We played well and got the victory.”

Ball movement became the vehicle for the powerful violation where Knicks combined into 37 assists.

Jalen Brunson runs on Bennedict Mathurin during the first half of Knicks’ Blowout Road victory over Pacers. AP

“When we get the assistant numbers we had tonight, it’s a recipe for success,” Towns said. “So getting back to 30-Plus assists, it’s who we are and who we are when we’re best. It was a good day for Knick’s basketball. “

Knicks (35-18) came out of one of their more disappointing efforts in the season, a bludgeoning in the hands of Celtics on Saturday, which felt like a charge of their status as candidates.

The pacers (29-23) are not quite Celtics, but it was a formidable test.

Not only did they strip behind a rejuvenated bull Haliburton, they were responsible for removing knicks in the conference’s semi -final last season.

Tyrese Haliburton runs on Mikal Bridges under Knicks’ Blowout Road win over Pacers. US Today Sports through Reuters Con

In fact, on Tuesday, Knicks went into a five-match’s losing series in Indiana-Inclusive three defeats in the playoffs.

It was a House of Horrors for Knicks in the conference final, with a Mother’s Day massacre defeat and Andrew Nembhard Miracle Trey in Game 3.

But this time, Knick’s mercilessly scored and was solid from Tipoff.

The first half was a masterpiece in Towns. In the second quarter, he jerked himself over Indiana’s Thomas Bryant and followed with a fake back-back pass that completely tricked Haliburton before fed Hart in transition to the assistant.

Cities had 24 points, four rebounds and three assists at the break, where Knicks enjoyed a 68-60 advantage. This lead only got bigger when Knicks’ best player, Brunson, went out with bad trouble.

Hart made sure.

“What Josh did is what we needed to win,” said Tom Thibodeau. “He was everywhere and flying around and doing everything. Good team wins, good jump back. ”