The New York Knicks are on a mission to claim their first NBA championship in over 50 years after their tough seven-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in last spring’s Eastern Conference semifinals. They aim to bounce back when they host the Pacers on Friday.
In their season opener, the Knicks fell to the Boston Celtics 132-109, trailing for nearly the entire game. Meanwhile, the Pacers managed to edge out the Detroit Pistons 115-109 after overcoming an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Playing against the reigning champions, the Celtics, was a tall order for the retooled Knicks. The loss was particularly discouraging due to the offensive struggles of newcomers Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, and defensive lapses across the team. Last season, the Knicks had the lowest points allowed per game in the Eastern Conference at 108.2.
Bridges, acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in June, had a rough start, missing his first five shots and finishing with 16 points, going just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. He struggled from three-point range throughout the preseason as well. Towns, who joined from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade in October, scored only 12 points in less than 24 minutes, marking a low point since a non-contact leg injury in 2022.
The Knicks also allowed the Celtics to shoot an impressive 47.5% from three-point range, tying the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a game, despite Boston missing their last 13 attempts.
The Pacers’ win against Detroit was helped by strong defense, even though they struggled with their own three-point shooting. Indiana shot 50.6% overall but just 9-of-31 from long distance. Tyrese Haliburton was 1-of-9 from beyond the arc, making his only three-pointer in the final seconds to secure the lead.
Defensively, the Pacers limited Detroit to 43.2% shooting, including just 25% in the fourth quarter. The Pistons missed three potential go-ahead three-pointers during a crucial four-minute scoreless stretch.
The Pacers also faced a setback with new center James Wiseman, who tore his left Achilles tendon during the Detroit game. Signed as a free agent in July, Wiseman and the team are now evaluating treatment options.
