Philippines, 12 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Indiana Keeps Coming and Snatches Game One, Shocks New York in OT, 138-135 at MSG


PhilBoxing.com




The Indiana gave another demonstration of its pesky ability to keep on coming back as the Pacers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in outlasting the New York Knicks in overtime, 138-135 at the Madison Square Garden Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The Pacers came back from a 14 points deficit with 2:55 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to force an overtime and then outscored the Knicks in the extra period 13-10 to post a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Finals best of seven series.

After being outplayed and hounded by New York's stifling defense for most of the game, the Pacers rode high on Aaron Nesmith's torrid three points shooting and Tyrese Halliburton catching fire again late to erase a Knicks lead that was as high as 17 points at the mid point of the fourth quarter.

The game started as a high scoring affair with Indiana and New York alternating at the lead with both teams using most of their bench to immediately get the feel of the game in support of their regulars. Halftime ended at 69-62 in favor of the Knicks.

For most of the second half however, New York begun outplaying the Pacers as Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were having their way scoring in and around the paint while Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride were troubling their men and getting to the ball more efficiently.

Only Halliburton was able to score consistently for the Pacers with some support from Myles Turner, Paskal Siakam and Obi Toppin.

Things changed however near the end of the third quarter when Brunson was forced to the bench after committing his fifth foul and the Pacers took advantage to cut the deficit to three at the end of the period, 90-87.

But New York greeted the fourth quarter with a 21-7 bomb that thrusted the Knicks to a commanding 111-94 on the exploits of Towns, Anunoby and Bridges in the absence of Brunson.

It was at this point that the Pacers began unleashing their comeback though New York seemed to still possess a comfortable cushion of 14 points less than three minutes left, 119-105 on Brunson's three pointer.

Then like a man possessed, Nesmith hit three of his five triples of the quarter and with Halliburton also getting his shooting touch from afar, the two managed to get the Pacers back in the game, 124-122 with barely seconds left. Another long tom from Halliburton that dropped into the basket after bouncing high upon hitting the rim sent the game into overtime. Had Halliburton not lightly touched the three point line, Indiana would have won right then and there.

The overtime was academic.

No team which gave Indiana the slightest chance to comeback had ended up winning a game. Ask Milwaukee and Cleveland which Indiana polished off in five games each.

Halliburton led Indiana with 31 points. Nesmith who was 8/9 from the three points area in the game finished with 30 points. Siakam scattered 17 points.

The loss put to waste Brunson's (43) and Towns (35) combined 78 points and Hart's game high 13 rebounds.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Chavez brothers to return on April 25
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
    , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • 83 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 12 Mar 2026
  • Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • “The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 11 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Meinke-Vargas IBF Featherweight Female World Championship Set for 12 rounds?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Ruiz and Veloz Earn Dominant Wins on Opening Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Top Rank Signs Undefeated Lightweight Prospect Sammy Contreras
    , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • 153 swimmers safely complete Davao-Samal-Davao Cross Channel
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Mar 2026
  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.