Brunson’s late three lifts Knicks to 114-113 win over Pacers

On December 18, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Jalen Brunson drilled a step-back three with 5.6 seconds left to lift the visiting New York Knicks to a 114-113 comeback win over the Indiana Pacers. Brunson finished with 25 points, and OG Anunoby’s steal on the inbounds play iced a tense finish for a Knicks club that was short-handed after its NBA Cup title run earlier in the week.

Game recap

New York fell behind early, as Indiana sprinted to a 28-12 first-quarter advantage by taking advantage of hot shooting and an undermanned Knicks rotation. The Pacers extended leads at times to 16 points, but New York chipped away, outscoring Indiana in the second quarter and then closing the third with a decisive run to re-enter the fourth within striking distance.

Key late sequences saw Brunson answer a Pacers advantage with his go-ahead triple, and after a timeout the Pacers were unable to convert the inbound play, with Anunoby picking off the attempt and forcing the final possession to run out. The final line was close throughout, and the finish underlined the thin margin between a sloppy win and a costly loss on the road.

Standout performers

• Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, including the decisive three.
• Andrew Nembhard, Pacers: 31 points, team-high scorer and the engine of Indiana’s offense on the night.
• Pascal Siakam, Pacers: 26 points, strong late-quarter production that kept Indiana in front.
• Jordan Clarkson, Knicks: 18 points off the bench, connecting on multiple threes.
• Tyler Kolek, Knicks: 16 points, 11 assists, a career night from the reserve guard that stabilized New York’s second unit.

Turning points and tactical notes

Third-quarter response

Indiana built a 16-point edge late in the third, but New York closed the period on a 16-6 run, shrinking the gap and changing the momentum. That spurt set up a fourth quarter where the lead changed several times.

Bench impact

With several starters rested or limited, the Knicks depended on bench scoring, and Jordan Clarkson’s perimeter work and Tyler Kolek’s playmaking proved decisive. New York’s depth allowed it to absorb the absences of Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson and still execute a late-game plan.

Defensive moments

Anunoby’s final steal was the defensive play that decided the game, and it highlighted the Knicks’ emphasis on situational defense in clutch moments, even when missing some primary defenders.

"It's almost like you getting penalized for winning it, schedule wise," Knicks coach Mike Brown said about the quick turnaround after the NBA Cup final, noting travel and minutes management concerns.

Injury and roster context

Both teams were playing altered rosters on December 18, 2025. The Knicks rested or listed questionable several players coming out of the NBA Cup, while the Pacers remain without Tyrese Haliburton for the 2025-26 season after he suffered a torn right Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals and underwent surgery in June. That injury has forced Indiana into a heavier reliance on Andrew Nembhard and other scorers.

Table: Quick box-score comparison

What the result means

For the Knicks

The victory highlighted New York’s depth and clutch habit, two qualities a contender needs late in games. Winning on the road while managing minutes after the NBA Cup gives the team roster confidence, but coach Mike Brown also flagged concerns about the compressed schedule and the need to regulate minutes moving forward.

For the Pacers

Indiana showed it can still compete offensively without Haliburton, with Nembhard and Siakam combining for heavy scoring nights. The narrow loss, however, underscored the thin margin the Pacers face in closing games without their All-Star floor general, and it stressed the urgency for other players to absorb late-game playmaking duties.

Multiple perspectives

• Knicks fans will point to the team’s resilience and late-game execution, viewing Brunson’s shot as evidence of championship temperament.
• Pacers supporters can take solace in the team’s performance despite losing its leader for the season, and in Nembhard’s capacity to create and score at a high level.
• Analysts will note the scheduling issue Brown raised, and the broader league question about how short-turnaround games after midseason tournaments affect player health and performance.

Numbers to remember

• Final score: Knicks 114, Pacers 113.
• Brunson: 25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists.
• Nembhard: 31 points.
• Knicks rested multiple starters after winning the NBA Cup on Dec. 16 and 17, 2025, creating a test of depth for head coach Mike Brown.

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"game_date": "2025-12-18",
"location": "Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis",
"final": {"Knicks":114, "Pacers":113}
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Looking ahead

Both clubs head into the next slate with immediate storylines. The Knicks must balance minutes management with maintaining momentum, while the Pacers try to develop consistent late-game options until Tyrese Haliburton returns from long-term Achilles rehabilitation. For fans, the game was a reminder that even in December, with midseason tournaments and injuries, the NBA still delivers dramatic finishes.

If you want the full box score and play-by-play, official records for the December 18, 2025 game are available from league and major sports outlets.