Knicks Lose Game 1 In A Catastrophic Collapse To The Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton Explains ‘Choke’ Gesture

The New York Knicks were entering the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000. This team was confident after beating the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals in six games. At the start of the game, the team was self-assured. The Knicks had as big as a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers. As the lead dwindled and the team missed shots, all the Knicks thought about was the bounce.

The Pacers came back from a 14-point deficit with three minutes left in the game to force the Knicks into overtime. Star guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-tying shot that bounced up in the air and went in. Haliburton uses a choking signal after the shot, indicating the collapse.

This celebration was a callback to Hall of Famer Reggie Miller’s famous gesture to Spike Lee while leading a Pacers comeback over the Knicks in a playoff game in 1994.

“I wasn’t plotting on it or anything,” Haliburton said postgame. “Everybody wanted me to do it last year at some point, but it’s got to feel right. It felt right at the time – well, if I would’ve known it was a 2, I would not have done it. So I think I might’ve wasted it.”

The Pacers did not waste the callback as they went on to win Game 1 with a score of 138-135.

They finished with six players in double figures, with Haliburton leading the team with 31 points and 11 assists. Huge contributions from forward Aaron Nesmith and the Knicks, who turned the ball over eight more times than the Pacers did, allowed the Pacers to take Game 1.

In the loss, the Knicks had four players scoring double figures with impressive offensive outings from star guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns, and some impressive defensive outings from star forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

Brunson finished the game with 43 points, five assists and shot 60% from the field while Towns finished with 35 points and 12 rebounds. The defensive duo of Anunoby and Bridges accounted for five blocks and four steals.

“In the playoffs, when you win, it’s the best thing ever,” Brunson said postgame. “When you lose, it’s the worst thing ever.”

The Knicks have a chance to tie the series at home on Friday, as Game 2 of the series is on Friday, May 23.