The Indiana Pacers, playing without injured star Tyrese Haliburton, secured a 106-104 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday, severely damaging the Knicks’ hopes of repeating as NBA Cup champions. The Knicks, who won last year’s in-season tournament before embarking on a run to their first NBA championship since 1973, fell to 0-2 in Cup group play after failing to erase a 14-point third-quarter deficit. While not mathematically eliminated, no team in the three previous editions of the Cup has advanced to the knockout rounds after losing two group-stage games. Pascal Siakam led a balanced Pacers attack with 19 points, supported by Aaron Nesmith’s 18, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 16, and 12 apiece from Ivica Zubac and Andrew Nembhard.
Key Takeaways: The Knicks lost 106-104 to the Pacers, dropping to 0-2 in NBA Cup group play. Indiana, missing Tyrese Haliburton, outscored New York 50-30 in the paint. No team has ever advanced from the group stage with two losses in the Cup’s short history, leaving New York’s repeat bid on life support.
The NBA Cup, now in its fourth edition, has quickly become a meaningful mid-season competition, though its scheduling and format have drawn scrutiny. For the Knicks, the loss compounds a challenging start to the Cup campaign and raises questions about their depth and ability to close out tight games. The Pacers, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience despite missing their All-Star guard, relying on a collective effort that overwhelmed New York inside. Indiana’s 50-30 advantage in paint scoring proved decisive, as the Knicks struggled to contain dribble penetration and post-up opportunities. The defeat leaves New York last in East Group B, with home games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat remaining—both must-win affairs to keep any faint hopes alive.
“Very proud of our team. We were pretty big underdogs coming into this game,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Second half, it got difficult. New York is a championship team. They know how to make comebacks. Our guys stuck together and kept fighting together.” Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points and 11 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 points and 15 rebounds. The Knicks tied the game at 87-87 early in the fourth quarter, but Indiana responded with a 15-2 run to regain control. New York cut the deficit to two in the final seconds, but Towns missed a potential game-tying basket with 0.9 seconds left. In other Cup action, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo each scored 37 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Cavaliers 133-121; the San Antonio Spurs crushed the Golden State Warriors 123-85 behind 32 points from Stephon Castle; and the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-112.
The Knicks now face an uphill battle to salvage their Cup campaign, with their next game against Cleveland carrying enormous weight. A third loss would effectively end their knockout-stage aspirations and further tarnish a season that began with championship expectations. For Indiana, the win provides a confidence boost and keeps them in the hunt for Cup progression. The Pacers’ ability to win without Haliburton suggests they could be a dangerous opponent in the knockout rounds, should they qualify. Meanwhile, the NBA will continue to monitor the Cup’s competitive balance and scheduling impact as the tournament progresses toward its finale in Las Vegas.
Source: www.aljazeera.com