Jalen Brunson and Andrew Nembhard played pivotal roles in propelling the Knicks and the Pacers forward in the NBA playoffs.
The New York Knicks are set to clash with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semi-finals following their successful advancement from the initial round of the NBA playoffs.
Securing a 4–2 series victory over the 76ers, the Knicks, seeded second in the East, triumphed 118-115 in Philadelphia.
Despite Damian Lillard's return to the Milwaukee Bucks lineup after missing two games due to an Achilles injury, they couldn't extend their series against Indiana to a deciding match.
In a stunning upset, the sixth-seeded Pacers dominated with a 120-98 win over the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, the reigning 2021 champions.
While Lillard made a comeback for the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo remained sidelined due to a calf injury, failing to contribute throughout the series.
Commencing their best-of-seven series against the Knicks in New York on Monday, the Pacers look to build on their recent success.
Jalen Brunson showcased his prowess once more, tallying a game-high 41 points, including 12 assists, propelling the Knicks to their second victory in three visits to Philadelphia and sealing their series win.
Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Brunson emphasized the team's resilience, stating, "We knew it was going to be a grind, we just found ways to win. Every situation is different, and we need to approach it with the same mentality. No matter who's in front of us, we're going to attack it."
Despite Lillard's impressive return with 28 points for the Bucks, Indiana maintained control throughout the game, with Obi Toppin scoring 21 points and TJ McConnell adding 20, securing the Pacers' spot in the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the first time in a decade.
However, amidst the intensity of the game, Bucks veteran Patrick Beverley expressed frustration by throwing a ball at fans behind his team's bench, inadvertently hitting a female spectator. Despite ongoing exchanges between fans and the team throughout the game, Beverley's actions drew criticism.
In a post-game interview, Beverley, refusing questions from a female reporter, cited her lack of subscription to his podcast as a reason, requesting her to leave the huddle.
