INDIANAPOLIS — Behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, the Knicks not only survived Jalen Brunson’s extended stay on the bench — they thrived.
Adversity hit early in the second half against the Pacers on Tuesday night, when Brunson picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in rapid succession.
The point guard was subbed out with a nine-point lead and about nine minutes remaining in the third. He returned with 5 ½ minutes remaining and the Knicks leading by 16.
Karl-Anthony Towns rises up for a sH๏τ while Thomas Bryant (3) and forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defend during the first half of the Knicks’ 128-115 road win over the Pacers on Feb. 11, 2025.
In a 128-115 blowout victory, Brunson only needed eight points in 23 minutes.
So how did the Knicks build on their advantage in the Brunson-less minutes? A heavy dose of Hart, who dropped a season-high 30 points and was a one-man wrecking ball in transition and at the rim. They also got strong bench play from Miles McBride and Cam Payne.
Towns, meanwhile, owned the first half and finished with 40 points, 12 rebounds and five ᴀssists.
Josh Hart (3) puts up a layup in front of Thomas Bryant during the Knicks’ blowout road win over the Pacers.
The Knicks (35-18) were coming off one of their more disheartening efforts of the season, a bludgeoning at the hands of the Celtics on Saturday that felt like an indictment on their status as contenders.
The Pacers (29-23) aren’t quite the Celtics, but it was a formidable test.
Not only were they streaking behind a rejuvenated Tyrese Haliburton, they were responsible for eliminating the Knicks in the conference semifinals last season.
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