BBNBA: Karl-Anthony Towns drops 35 but Knicks choke in Game 1

The New York Knicks played their first Eastern Conference Finals game since (in an extreme Conan O’Brien voice) the year 2000! But even the most prolific fortune teller peering into their crystal ball with 2:35 left in the 4th quarter when the Knicks were up 14 could not have foretold how it would finish. Karl-Anthony Towns had a personal playoff best 35 points, but Knicks fell victim to one of the most egregious choke jobs in recent memory.

Former Vanderbilt star Aaron Nesmith made a flurry of 3-pointers in the closing two minutes to trim the Knicks’ lead to two. Towns had the opportunity to make it a four-point game but missed the second of two free throws, leaving it a 3-point advantage. The Knicks fouled, playing the analytics game, but after Indianapolis made both of their free throws, OG Anunoby split his pair to make it a two-point game.

Then Tyrese Haliburton produced one of the most ridiculously dramatic shots in NBA history. He drove into the lane, drove back out, turned and shot a 3 that caromed off the rim several feet into the air and fell back down into the basket. He immediately channeled his best Reggie Miller impression and gave Madison Square Garden the choke symbol.

But wait! It was only a two! Haliburton’s toe was on the line for his insane game-winning shot making it a game-tying shot instead.

WHAT A SHOT BY TYRESE HALIBURTON 🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/8wEwdkeRwZ pic.twitter.com/s497GwRWi9

— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025

The Pacers kept the momentum in overtime to seal the win 138-135 win

In overtime, both teams traded buckets but while the Knicks tried to go one-on-one with Jalen Brunson every possession, the Pacers ran basketball plays, getting multiple layups and dunks on their way to an improbable victory in Game 1, leaving MSG fans shook. Towns had a chance to tie the game with a 3 off an offensive rebound in the closing seconds but his 29-footer came up just short.

The Pacers’ 20 points in the last two-and-half minutes of regulation will now go down in history alongside Reggie Miller’s eight points in nine seconds Pacers playoff lore.

In addition to his 35 points, Towns finished the game with 12 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block, but he will be kicking himself over that missed free throw and an errant 3-pointer in the final seconds of OT.

Former Kentucky coach John Calipari was courtside for the game (wearing another hideous Arkansas-red jacket), which is probably why Towns didn’t get the ball in the closing minutes of a close postseason matchup.

It will be hard to top the drama of Game 1, but the two teams will be back at it for Game 2 on Friday. In the meantime, freshly-crowed MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host Julius Randle and the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the West Finals tonight at 8:30 on ESPN with OKC up 1-0.