In a stunning turn of events, the Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 138-135 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, overcoming a 14-point deficit with under three minutes remaining in regulation. The Knicks, playing their first Eastern Conference finals game since 2000, suffered a deflating loss after leading for most of the game.

Tyrese Haliburton played a pivotal role, sinking a game-tying shot at the buzzer, which was initially thought to be a 3-pointer for the win but was later confirmed as a 2-pointer. Haliburton finished the game with 31 points and 11 assists. Aaron Nesmith contributed significantly, scoring 30 points, including a playoff record-setting eight 3-pointers. He made six of those 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, spearheading the Pacers' comeback. His performance earned him high praise, with Haliburton noting Nesmith's difficult task of guarding Jalen Brunson while also delivering offensively. Nesmith himself modestly stated he was just doing what the team needed, focusing on winning.

The Knicks' Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 43 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 35 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Knicks couldn’t maintain their lead, especially after a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter. Despite Brunson's efforts, the Knicks collapsed, marking a historic moment as teams leading by at least 14 points with under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter had been 970-0 since detailed play-by-play records began in 1997-98.

The Pacers' victory marks their ninth playoff matchup against the Knicks and highlights their resilience, having previously defeated the Knicks in Game 7 of the East semifinals last year. Nesmith's performance included setting a new playoff record for most three-pointers made in a playoff game, surpassing records previously held by Reggie Miller, Paul George, and teammate Tyrese Haliburton.

With the series now underway, the Knicks face the challenge of regrouping for Game 2, while the Pacers aim to build on their momentum. The Pacers, known for their comebacks, have now added another remarkable chapter to their playoff journey, leaving the Knicks to grapple with a devastating loss and the need to quickly recover.