Balanced attack propels Knicks to statement win in home debut.
On Friday night, the New York Knicks (1-1) bounced back in spectacular fashion, trouncing the Indiana Pacers 123-98 before an electric Madison Square Garden crowd. After a roll-over-and-get-kicked-29-times season opener against the Celtics, the Knicks came roaring back—especially their biggest KAT. Here are five takeaways from the emphatic victory.
Lockdown Defense was Back—and Better than Last Year
If defense wins championships, the Knicks just sent a loud message to the league. Shaking off their defensive debacle against Boston, in which they allowed a record-tying 29 triples, New York clamped down hard on the Pacers’ shooters. Indiana struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting a dismal 3-of-30 three-pointers. The Knicks’ perimeter defense was relentless, closing out on shooters and disrupting the Pacers’ rhythm all game long. This is the improved intensity that we expected from our recently required wings, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, and neither disappointed, holding the Indiana starting backcourt to two points—and a goose egg for that tiresome yapper, Tyrese Haliburton.
Everybody Wins When Everybody Scores
Who needs a lone superstar when you’ve got a whole squad ready to drop buckets? Jalen Brunson led the charge with 26 points, slicing and dicing the Pacers’ defense with ease. But he wasn’t alone—new additions Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges each poured in 21 points in their Madison Square Garden debuts. This balanced offensive attack made Indiana’s collective head spin and showcased the potential of the Knicks’ roster. When multiple players are firing on all cylinders, this team will terrorize the league.
It was a relief to see Towns play so well, since Julius Randle had just given the Timberwolves fans plenty to gloat about.
The Electric Garden
There’s no place like home, especially when it is the Mecca of Basketball. Fans gave a warm welcome to Towns and Bridges, who responded with spectacular home debuts. Every dunk, steal, and three-pointer was met with deafening cheers. The Garden’s crowd is an undeniable sixth man when the Knicks are rolling. Do you think KAT and Mikal enjoyed basking in the glow of approximately 20,000 rabidly adoring fans? We do.
Turning Defense into Offense
The potent Pacers scored fewer than 100 points in only three games last season. Last night, the Knicks held them to 98.
The Knicks didn’t just stop the Pacers—they turned their mistakes into instant offense. Capitalizing on Indiana’s 14 turnovers, New York racked up a whopping 29 points off miscues. New York controlled the glass, too, outrebounding Indiana by 10, and best of all: each starter had a defensive rating of 106 or less.
New York was quick to seize opportunities, pushing the ball in transition and catching the Pacers flat-footed. This ability to flip the script from defense to a fast-break adds an extra dimension to the Knicks’ offense that we didn’t see often enough last season.
Resilience and Team Spirit
Coach Tom Thibodeau couldn’t have been prouder. After a tough loss to start the season, the Knicks showed grit and determination to bounce back. Thibodeau praised his squad’s fight and resilience, highlighting a strong locker room mentality that’s been building. This team doesn’t just play together; they battle together. We were worried that trading Donte DiVincenzo might have a deleterious effect on the team chemistry. If last night’s game is any indication, the team’s mojo is just fine.
The Knicks’ win over the Pacers was more than fun viewing—it was a statement that set a high bar. With stifling defense, balanced scoring, and electric home-court energy, they’ve now shown they can dominate both ends when focused. Feel free to be optimistic; if they maintain this level of play, there’s no telling how far they can go. See you at the parade?