Winner Take All

"This is the exact reason why we played the last couple of games to get that two seed," DiVincenzo said. "We're going home, Game 7. We know the Garden's gonna be rocking."

Final Score: Knicks 103 - Pacers 116
Series Record: 3-3

The Pacers, boasting an impressive undefeated record at home this postseason, stepped onto the court Friday night with the determination of a team fighting for their season. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner led the charge early on, delivering the first blows in Game 6.

However, the Knicks hung close. Miles McBride played arguably his most impressive quarter as a pro, scoring 11 points in the first ten minutes of the contest. After a few misses to start the game, Donte DiVincenzo got hot and knocked down a pair of three-pointers and the Knicks led by one after one. 

Yet, the game turned in the second quarter. Siakam, Turner and Tyrese Haliburton scored at will, while New York could not buy a bucket. Remarkably, Jalen Brunson missed all six shots he took and ended up missing 11 straight field-goal attempts to end the first half. It's the first and only time in his career Brunson has more than ten consecutive shots in one game. 

Nonetheless, the more troubling development was the clear and obvious discomfort Josh Hart was experiencing. Midway through the first quarter, while boxing out Andrew Nembhard, Hart appeared to injure his core/rib area and then aggravated the injury going for a rebound over Siakam a few minutes later. Hart was able to remain in the game but was wincing in pain throughout the first half.  

New York made a mini-run to start the third quarter and hung close thanks to a tremendous bounce-back from Brunson. In the 19 minutes he played in the second half, Brunson scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting.  

But Hart asked out eight minutes into the second half, and the Knicks ran out of healthy bodies. The Pacers pounded New York on the glass and dominated in the paint. Indiana's lead ballooned to 23 points midway through the fourth and that was all she wrote. 

We have talked continuously throughout this postseason about the importance of winning the rebounding battle. Well, the Pacers out-rebounded the Knicks 47-35 in Game 6. The 12-board difference was the worst differential for NY in the playoffs. The Knicks have now lost 12 of their past 13 postseason games in which they grabbed fewer boards than their opponent. 

A big reason for the lopsided rebounding numbers on Friday was coach Tom Thibodeau being forced to switch Isaiah Hartenstein onto Siakam, who was overwhelming small defenders. With iHart having to defend Siakam on the perimeter, New York could not protect the defensive glass. Then you factor in the loss of Josh Hart, and things got ugly. Indiana ended up grabbing 14 offensive rebounds in the contest. 

Still, the Pacers deserve a ton of credit for playing exceptionally well in a pressure-packed game. They came out and executed, made some crucial adjustments (including switching Haliburton onto Hart instead of McBride, which prevented NY from running as many guard-guard pick-and-rolls), and did what they needed to do to save their season. 

And now the Knicks must do the same. 

Game 7 will tip off inside MSG at 3:30 on Sunday. 

The biggest question heading into this epic showdown is who will be available for New York. The Knicks announced last night in the fourth quarter that Hart had been ruled out and could not return due to "abdominal soreness." For Hart to miss the 4th quarter of a playoff game, he must have been immensely uncomfortable. There are few human beings with a higher threshold for pain.

Thibs did not provide an update after the game, stating that he had yet to receive any details from the team's medical staff. 

Hart's teammates were more encouraging. "I would assume he's going to play," Brunson said. "It's Game 7."

When asked if he expected Hart to suit up on Sunday, Isaiah Hartenstein replied: "I haven't talked to him, but just knowing him, he'll do whatever to play. If his leg's not falling off, I can say he'll probably play."

We should get our first indication regarding Hart's potential availability for Game 7 at 5:30 Saturday night when the Knicks release their initial injury report. League rules mandate that teams report information concerning player injuries by 5 p.m. local time on the day before a game. At this point, a "questionable" tag is almost certainly the best Knicks fans can hope for.

That is also when we'll find out if there is any chance of OG Anunoby being cleared to play. During the pregame show last night on ESPN, Adrian Wojnarowski intimated that OG would almost certainly be unable to play this weekend. 

However, Thibs left the door slightly ajar when speaking with reporters after Game 6. When asked if Anunoby could return on Sunday,  Thibodeau remarked, "Whatever medical says." When questioned about what Knicks doctors had told him, he replied that OG is considered "day-to-day."

It would be shocking if OG miraculously returned to action. It wouldn't even be considered if this were any situation other than a win-or-gome-home Game 7. Hart's situation is entirely unknown. 

Yes, it's true that if he can crawl, let alone walk, Hart will be out there Sunday afternoon. But if he's dealing with a torn ab muscle or something similar, the doctors may refuse to clear him. 

If they are missing Hart, that might be the straw that breaks the Knicks back. They've survived more injuries and obstacles than anyone could have imagined, but losing the heart and soul of their team would probably be too much to overcome. 

At that point, New York would effectively be down to four rotation players (JB, iHart, DDV and McBride), six if you want to include Precious and Burks. Throwing Jericho Sims or Shake Milton into the deep end of Game 7 is probably not a recipe for success. 

Still, no matter who steps onto the court wearing New York across the front of their jersey, this team will believe they are capable of winning a basketball game. Thibs and Brunson have been preparing for a winner-take-all game at MSG their whole lives. 

And make no mistake, home-court advantage will be real. 

"This is the exact reason why we played the last couple of games to get that two seed," DiVincenzo said after Friday's loss. "This is the exact reason. We're going home, Game 7. We know the Garden's gonna be rocking, and we're trying to handle business."

The captain echoed similar sentiments. "It's definitely something we fought for, to have home-court advantage for as long as we can throughout the playoffs," Brunson said. "But it's not a given we win just because it's at home. We have to go out there and play. They're going to be ready, and we're going to be ready as well."

Other Takeaways and Knicks Notes:

🏀 Sunday will mark the first time the Knicks have hosted a Game 7 at MSG since May 21, 1995.

That was 10,591 days ago for those keeping track at home. 

In that contest, the Knicks lost to the Pacers. 

🏀 Before that loss to Indiana in 1995, the Knicks had won four straight Game 7s at home. They are 5-2 all-time.

The Rangers are 8-1. So, New York teams are a combined 13-3 in the 16 Game 7s played at Madison Square Garden.  

🏀 Brunson finished Game 6 with 31 points (11-of-26 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), one rebound, five assists, and three 3-pointers, despite the slow start. 

"They used three different defenders on him, all different sizes," Hartenstein said. "They were loading up, so I think we just have to do a better job getting Jalen easier looks." 

It will be interesting to see how Indiana plans to slow down JB on Sunday. "They've been doing a great job all series of making adjustments, showing me different looks," Brunson said. "I gotta do a better job of reading it."

🏀 A reminder that win or lose on Sunday, Brunson has had an unforgettable run. 

Here is the NBA leaderboard for the most points scored in the 2024 playoffs:
1. Jalen Brunson: 404
2. Nikola Jokic: 310
3. Anthony Edwards: 302
4. Luka Doncic: 298

🏀 Not only did Miles McBride shoot 8-of-12 from the field (including 4-of-6 from downtown) en route to 20 points in Game 6, but he also got after it defensively. 

Tyrese Haliburton finished with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting (and was awfully chatty, which he tends to be in wins), but Deuce once again showed he can go toe-toe with an All-Star point guard. 

This possession in the third quarter was particularly impressive. 

This postseason run - and this series especially - will be remembered for McBride's emergence…

🏀 As if the Knicks needed any more motivation, it appears that the Celtics (who have looked vulnerable throughout these playoffs) will be without starting center Kristaps Porzingis for the start of the ECF. According to Woj, KP is "expected to remain sidelined for Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference finals next week, but there's optimism he'll be able to return sometime in the series -- barring any setbacks… Porzingis has been making progress in his recovery from a soleus strain of his right calf, ramping up his on-court activity for an anticipated return in the conference finals, but still needs more time for a return to play."

Arguably, the most frustrating part of the Knicks being decimated by injuries is that this team, if healthy, would have a real, legitimate shot to knock off Boston and advance all the way to the NBA Finals. 

🏀 Right now, all they have to worry about is one game. 

Win one game and extend the season. Earn the right to play basketball for another week.

As for Knicks fans who will undoubtedly be on edge for the next 36+ hours, I'll repeat what I've said multiple times during this incredible run: Try your best to appreciate it.

Think about all those meaningless games you sat through for 20+ years. Think back on the Isiah Era (Error), all the awful trades, and botched draft picks. Or trying to convince yourself that Moochie Norris, Frank Ntilikina, Willy Hernangómez or Damyean Dotson would develop into a reliable starter. Talking yourself into believing Steve Francis or T-Mac might resurrect their careers in NYC. Praying for saviors via free agency, only to watch one after another spur the city. Having to root for losses during entire seasons spent taking, only to get burned in the lottery. 

During those days, you'd have given anything to feel the anxiety that only a Game 7 at MSG can induce—and having a superstar like Jalen Brunson who gave you a chance to win it. 

Late last night, Mitchell Robinson posted a picture of himself on Instagram holding a rally towel handed out at one of the Knicks playoff games earlier this postseason. The towel features a quote from Josh Hart: "We scratch. We Claw. We Find a Way”

That perfectly encapsulates what the 2023-24 Knicks are all about. No matter who is available, the players on the floor have done everything within their power to win every quarter of every game they've played this season. 

Sunday will be no different. 

Pressure is a privilege.

Soak it up.