Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers promises to be a pivotal moment in this tightly contested series, with Indiana holding a 2-1 advantage and looking to extend their lead at home while the Knicks aim to tie things up and steal back momentum. After falling behind 0-2 in the series, New York responded with a gutsy Game 3 win powered by Jalen Brunson’s scoring brilliance and a retooled defensive effort that slowed down Indiana’s high-octane offense, giving the Knicks renewed belief that this series is far from over. The Pacers, however, continue to look like one of the league’s most dangerous playoff teams when they get out in transition and spread the floor, with Tyrese Haliburton acting as the conductor of a dynamic offense that thrives on pace, spacing, and ball movement. The combination of Haliburton’s playmaking, Pascal Siakam’s versatility, and the shooting of Myles Turner and Buddy Hield has overwhelmed opponents all postseason, particularly on their home floor where they’ve gone 17-3 straight up in their last 20 games. For the Knicks, the path to evening the series lies in controlling tempo, owning the rebounding battle, and forcing Indiana into uncomfortable half-court possessions where their defensive structure and toughness can shine. Brunson will once again be central to their chances, not only as a scorer but as a floor general tasked with breaking down Indiana’s perimeter defenders and keeping the offense efficient despite being shorthanded.

Mitchell Robinson’s return to form in the paint has been a welcome development, offering rim protection and second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass, both of which are critical given New York’s struggles with perimeter scoring. Injuries remain a storyline, as both teams are managing nagging health concerns that have tested depth, rotations, and coaching flexibility, particularly with bench production becoming increasingly important in games played every other day. From a tactical standpoint, the battle between head coaches Tom Thibodeau and Rick Carlisle adds intrigue, as Thibodeau looks to grind down Indiana with physical play and deliberate possessions, while Carlisle seeks to exploit every moment of transition chaos to generate early offense and open looks. Game 4’s stakes are enormous—either the Knicks pull even and restore home-court leverage heading into Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, or the Pacers take a 3-1 stranglehold and position themselves just one win away from their first NBA Finals berth since 2000. Every possession, every rotation, and every matchup adjustment will be under the microscope, and with both teams embracing contrasting identities and playing styles, the chess match and intensity level should be among the highest we’ve seen this postseason. Expect a hard-fought game shaped by tempo, toughness, and timely shooting, with both teams knowing that Game 4 could define not just the series but the legacy of their playoff run.