The Knicks looked every bit like legitimate title contenders in their decisive Game 6 victory over the Boston Celtics. And if that version of New York shows up again in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks will give themselves their best chance yet at returning to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years.
Their 119-81 dismantling of the defending champions wasn’t just a closeout — it was a coming-of-age moment for a group that’s evolved from gritty overachievers into a true title threat. That Game 6 clinic could double as a blueprint for navigating their next test: a high-octane Indiana Pacers team led by All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton that never takes its foot off the gas.
“Every team is a little different, but there are some similarities,” said head coach Tom Thibodeau. “The uniqueness of their ability to push the ball and skilled bigs. I think that’s sort of the way of the NBA today. I think you have to be adept at guarding offenses that are built like that.”
Both Indiana and Boston stretch the floor with five-out systems. The Celtics deployed Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis in that role — but Porzingis was a shell of himself battling a viral illness. The Pacers will space the court with sharpshooter Myles Turner, who torched Cleveland in the second round by hitting 56.3 percent of his threes. Backup center Thomas Bryant has also hit 57 percent of his long-range attempts in the playoffs.
The Pacers can always keep a floor-spacing big on the court — a challenge the Knicks have struggled to consistently solve. T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard are both shooting 50 percent from deep in the playoffs. Aaron Nesmith (48.2 percent) and Pascal Siakam (44.1 percent) aren’t far behind. Every rotation player on Rick Carlisle’s bench can space the floor and punish defensive breakdowns.
Stylistically, Boston leans on its wing tandem of Tatum and Brown. The difference is Indiana’s attack flows through Haliburton, but both teams rely on pace, spacing, and an abundance of shooting. And against Boston, the Knicks figured it out — just in time.
They’ll need to apply those same lessons here.
“I think so. You got to try to make them uncomfortable,” said Josh Hart. “We looked at the numbers and I think they got four or five guys, six guys, that are shooting 40’s, 50’s. It’s going to be obviously a tough matchup. We have to try to be physical, get to the ball, get them out of rhythm and lastly communicate, so they don’t have open shots. It’s going to be a huge deserve series for us. I think we’re capable of it.”
The Knicks held the Celtics to just 36 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent shooting from deep in Game 6. Jaylen Brown managed 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting, but his supporting cast combined to shoot just 23-of-66. Most importantly, the Knicks shut down Derrick White, fresh off a 34-point explosion in Game 5, and held him to just 3-of-11 shooting for eight points and a minus-45 rating in the second-round finale.
Under pressure, the Knicks played what might have been their most complete game of the season. And with a chance to reach the NBA Finals for the first time this century, the stakes now rise even higher.
After trailing by 14 or more in each of the first five games of the series, the Knicks never let Boston breathe in Game 6. Indiana will test them in ways the injury-depleted Celtics couldn’t. But New York proved it can rise to the moment. That moment returns Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
And while the Celtics and Pacers are two totally different teams, the Knicks can take what it took to seal the deal in Game 6 and bring it for Game 1. Their shot at a title might depend on it.
“Yeah obviously the way we played, we showed we have the ability to do it,” said Jalen Brunson. “We’re gonna have to communicate, talk and do whatever we’ve gotta do against this team, too, ‘cause they’re gonna run, they’re gonna play fast on makes and misses. That’s just in their DNA.
“It’s gonna be a long way to go. We’ve gotta have each other’s back, we’ve gotta stick together. Nothing’s gonna be perfect but our talk, our energy has to be consistent.”
