Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers forced a Game 7 against the New York Knicks in dominant fashion Friday night.
The Pacers blew out New York 116-103 behind 25 points from Pascal Siakam and an all-around outstanding effort from the rest of the group. Four of Indiana’s five starters had 15-plus points in the game and TJ McConnell also added 15 off the bench.
Jalen Brunson, who had 44 points in Game 5, had a big performance with 31 points on Friday, but with the rest of New York’s supporting staff not contributing much, it was an easy win for Indiana.
After the loss, fans called the Knicks out for failing to put the series away with a win:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Knicks fans rn pic.twitter.com/hwBAzuL8Qc
Alan Hahn @alanhahn
Last time the Knicks played a Game 7 at MSG: May 21, 1995.
They lost to the Pacers.
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
The Pacers just flat out PUNKED the Knicks tonight. I expect Big Body Brunson to be way better in Game 7!
Ant 🎲 @NahImGoodFaam
Knicks effort was garbage tonight (McBride and Donte excluded from that) pic.twitter.com/BUN3x4kmeB
TeeKay Turner @TKchasebenji
Indiana couldn’t pay to miss a shot tonight, smh. Siakam mid range the Knicks to death
Tray32Deuce👀 @Tray_Deuce_32
TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE effort from the Knicks tonight. Missed opportunity
See you in game 7#NewYorkForever
Vic! @stand4somethin3
Man Knicks, beyond sad about the performance tonight. Please bring it home in 7
Lippy @lippy4246
The Knicks were disappointing tonight. Poor defense, poor ball movement, poor rebounding and dare I say poor effort? They got owned in the paint and the boards. The Pacers out Knicked the Knicks
Gustavo Marin @Gus_Marin_23
Absolute loser performance by the Knicks tonight. Always gonna support them and will be watching game 7 but they deserve to lose because of lack of effort in moments they could have secured the series.
HereWeGo Steelers @4EverKnicksLife
Knicks got outworked tonight. Onto Game 7
Brian Rappaport @BRappy55
The defense tonight was atrocious. Pathetic. Embarrassing. #Knicks
Now rather than heading to the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks will have to sweat it out in a Game 7 with the Pacers holding the momentum after Friday’s win. Luckily for the Knicks, they will return to Madison Square Garden to try to close things out in front of their home fans.
With a win on Sunday, New York would reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, while it would be Indiana’s first trip since 2014.