Knicks Frustrated After Loss to Pacers

The New York Knicks couldn't get the job done against the Indiana Pacers.
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;  New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are not happy after their 132-121 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Despite having a lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks were unable to withstand the barrage of Pacers offense in the final 12 minutes, resulting in a disappointing loss.

“They’re a great offensive team. And we gave up way too much," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. “We don’t challenge shots, they’re going to make. So too big of a discrepancy from the three-point line. They made 21, we made 7. That’s a problem. Our offense, we score 121 points, we shoot 55 (percent). We got to the line a lot. Outrebounded them. But we didn’t cover the 3-point line."

The loss brings the Knicks to 4-5 on the season, and while other teams in the Eastern Conference are struggling alongside them, New York has higher expectations for itself.

The loss frustrated Karl-Anthony Towns in particular.

“This is my 10th year in the NBA. Last year was a year where I had a tremendous amount of experience garnered going to the Western Conference Finals, and I know when we were in Game 80, 81, 82 against the Suns, we looked back at those Game 1, Game 4, you looked back at the ones you gave away that put you in a better position whether it’s to be in the No. 1 seed, No. 2 seed, No. 3 seed, or gives us a chance to choose our destiny," Towns said. “That’s why I’m disappointed. Experience has taught me a lot. This is just as important as Game 82, and we just didn’t come out with a win. That’s what’s so disappointing to me.”

While the Knicks won't be able to get that game back against the Pacers, Towns is right. They cannot take any of these games for granted.

Last year, the Knicks won 50 games, which got them the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat, just four games back with 46 wins, were the No. 8 seed. That means every game should matter in the gauntlet that is the East, because a lot of the contenders are pretty even in terms of talent and quality. The final standings at the end of the year could very well come down to these tight games early in the season, so the Knicks need to treat each matchup like a playoff game.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.