INDIANAPOLIS — In the aftermath of a heated game, basketball coaches often provide broad generalizations until they can review the film. Following the Indiana Pacers’ 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle attributed the team’s second-half struggles to the Knicks’ defensive adjustments.
“They had a lot of their better defenders in the game in the second half,” Carlisle noted. “That makes it harder.”
Unmentioned was the reduced presence of Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who, despite being a two-time All-NBA selection, is considered a below-average defender. Brunson acknowledged the challenge: “When teams hunt me … I mean, it is what it is. Obviously, I’m going to give my effort. I’ve just got to be smart and not foul, and I think if I just keep my body in the right position and contest shots, and foul or not foul — or not [do something the referees] perceive as a foul — I’ll put my team in a better chance to win.”
Facing a 2-0 deficit, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau made significant changes, including starting Mitchell Robinson and benching Josh Hart. He also utilized guards Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, who provided size, better communication, and stronger defensive rotations. This strategy helped the Knicks limit the Pacers’ scoring opportunities.
The Knicks trailed by 13 points when Brunson, with four fouls, exited in the third quarter. They rallied to within three points by the time he returned in the fourth, thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong performance and improved defensive effort. Brunson picked up his fifth foul shortly after re-entering, but the Knicks continued to hold the Pacers at bay until he returned with 97 seconds left, hitting the game-winning shot.
Thibodeau’s decision to keep Brunson on the bench for an extended period, even with five fouls, highlighted the team’s need for defensive stops, which are easier to achieve without Brunson on the floor. Advanced metrics show that the Knicks allow more points per 100 possessions with Brunson on the court, a trend that has intensified in the postseason and particularly against the Pacers.
The Pacers have targeted Brunson throughout the series, exploiting his defensive weaknesses to create scoring opportunities. In Game 3, the Knicks allowed the Pacers to score 27 points in 23 possessions with Brunson guarding the pick-and-roll ball-handler, a rate that would rank near the bottom of the league.
As the series progresses, the Knicks must balance their reliance on Brunson’s offensive leadership with the need for better defensive personnel. Brunson will face increased pressure to stand his ground defensively, especially as the Pacers seek to exploit his weaknesses. The outcome of Game 4 and beyond may hinge on whether Brunson can rise to the challenge and whether the Knicks can find the right defensive balance.