The 2024 NBA Playoffs culminated in a thrilling Game 7 matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. In a high-scoring affair, the Pacers emerged victorious with a commanding 130-109 win over their opponents. This victory marked a significant milestone for the Pacers franchise, as they secured their spot in the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade.
The Pacers' success in Game 7 can be attributed to their exceptional teamwork and offensive prowess. Led by All-Star forward Victor Oladipo, who scored a game-high 35 points, the Pacers displayed great tenacity and determination throughout the game. Their ability to execute on both ends of the court proved to be too much for the Knicks to handle, ultimately leading to their defeat.
The Pacers made 29 of their 38 shots in the first half, a shooting percentage of 76.3% that was the highest in the postseason since 1997, when the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play for all four quarters. They led 70-55 at that point and pulled away every time the Knicks tried to make a run in the second half.
The No. 6-seeded Pacers set an NBA playoff record by finishing at 67.1% for the game and advanced to face top-seeded Boston in a series that begins Tuesday. Indiana last reached the conference finals in 2014, losing to Miami.
Brunson finished with 17 points and nine assists, shooting 6 for 17 after scoring 40 or more points five times in this postseason. Alec Burks came off the bench for 26 points.
The third Game 7 between the franchises — the Knicks won in the 1994 Eastern Conference finals and the Pacers pulled out a 97-95 victory the next year in the East semifinals — was a chance for the Pacers to prove that their fast-paced style can win at a time when defenses are supposed to rule.
They scored 39 points in the first quarter, the most in a Game 7 in the play-by-play era, a score that would have been more fitting for halftime in the Pacers-Knicks rivalry of the previous century.
That brings us to Game 7. If the Pacers win, it will be their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2013-14. A 10-year drought is pretty bad, but nowhere near as bad as the Knicks. They haven't been to the conference finals since 1999-2000.
Which team will end their drought today? We'll know in just four quarters. Follow along here for all the action from Game 7.
The Pacers no doubt benefitted from injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in their first-round series before Anunoby, Hart and Brunson were affected. But the sixth seed and heavy underdog Pacers left New York with no apologies and no intention of stopping.
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