Takeaways: Knicks now face a Game 7 vs Pacers as Josh Hart is the latest to suffer injury
Gainbridge Fieldhouse remains the Knicks’ House of Horrors in this series.
And now they’ll come back home to play the Indiana Pacers with elimination on the line.
Tom Thibodeau’s team had a lackluster performance in Game 6 Friday night in Indianapolis, losing to the Pacers 116-103 in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Knicks and Pacers will now battle in Game 7 Sunday (3:30 p.m., ABC) at Madison Square Garden.
Whoever wins will advance to play the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the conference finals.
The Knicks’ showing Friday night was confounding since they played with the energy, tenacity and toughness that’s come to define them in a blowout victory at The Garden in Game 5.
But their showing in Game 6 looked much closer to the way they played in Game 4, a 32-point drubbing at the hands of the Pacers.
The Knicks were again without OG Anunoby because of the hamstring injury he suffered in Game 2.
It wasn’t the Knicks’ night and it started to fall apart in the second quarter when they missed their final 11 shots of the period.
The Pacers, meanwhile, went on a 17-2 run in the final six minutes of the first half to build a double-digit lead. A three-pointer from the right corner by Donte DiVincenzo in the closing seconds of the second quarter sliced the Knicks’ deficit to 10 going into the break.
But the Knicks couldn't get any closer.
Indiana went up by 20 points four minutes into the fourth quarter. The Pacers, who won the rebounding battle 47-35, never relinquished control of the game.
Takeaways
Josh Hart leaves game in fourth quarter with injury
It was a sight rarely seen in the playoffs – Josh Hart sitting on the bench.
The Knicks’ ironman, who has played practically every minute of the postseason while refusing to ask for a break, began holding his abdomen area during the first half and went to the bench because of it to get some treatment.
Hart then spent more time on the bench in the second half, including early in the fourth quarter, holding a towel over his face while again holding his abdomen. Television cameras then showed him going back to the locker room.
The Knicks announced shortly after that Hart was out for the remainder of the game with abdominal soreness.
He ultimately had an off night overall, finishing with five points on 2-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds and three assists.
The last thing the Knicks need is yet another injury. They have to hope Hart’s ailment isn’t anything serious or something that will linger into Game 7 – or potentially beyond.
Points in the paint disparity
The Knicks’ defense inside left something to be desired.
The Pacers pretty much did whatever they wanted getting to the basket.
Indiana finished with 62 points in the paint. The Knicks had 38.
That’s not a disparity the Knicks can overcome.
They need to be much tougher on that end, which is surprising considering that’s been a hallmark in the playoffs.
The Pacers had way too many uncontested shots around the rim.
But this is also where not having Mitchell Robinson, an elite rim protector, hurts.
Knicks couldn’t limit Pascal Siakam
While Tyrese Haliburton didn’t have a great night for the Pacers – largely thanks to Deuce McBride’s tough defense – Siakam played well from the start.
He was driving to the basket for tough layups, throwing down dunks and knocking down jumpers.
Siakam finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Without Anunoby – and Julius Randle – the Knicks don’t have a great answer to defend him.
It showed Friday night.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 6 score, result, takeaways
