The New York Knicks are still processing what went wrong in Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.
After making their return to the East Finals for the first time since 2000, the New York Knicks could not imagine a much more devastating series-opening outcome.
On the cusp of already taking the 1-0 lead, the Knicks committed an all-time choke job by blowing their 14-point lead under three minutes in regulation, leading to a 138-135 overtime loss against the Indiana Pacers.
Errors and miscues including one from OG Anunoby haunted the Knicks down the stretch. And it led to Tyrese Haliburton’s heroics once again with a game-tying, buzzer-beating shot that led the Pacers superstar to mimic Reggie Miller’s iconic choke celebration.
Recovering from a humiliating meltdown mocked by Paul Pierce, the Knicks will enter Game 2 determined to settle the score against the Pacers.
But in order for them to pull it off, Iman Shumpert believes that the Knicks must not solely rely on the brilliance of Jalen Brunson.
The reigning Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson always has the ball in his hands during crucial moments for New York. Shumpert believes this makes the Knicks predictable, and the superstar guard exhausted on the other hand.
“I think that the Knicks are right now putting way too much pressure on Jalen Brunson to be effective at the end of the game,” Shumpert, a former Knick and a 2016 NBA champion for the Cleveland Cavaliers, argued on ESPN’s Sports Center.
“I think they did a great job for a little bit there. I believe they had 8-0, maybe 10-0 run toward the end while Brunson was still getting some rest.
“When he does get back in the game, I feel like they sometimes get stagnant. He’s attracting a lot of attention, but when he does get those buckets, even in tough situations, he’s working way too hard for them.
“I think when you look at the Indiana’s side of things, they get those easy shots. They get guys coming off in rhythm. Just one, two step and into the shot, offensive rebounds, tap outs, inside-out threes, everything they do seems to be really easy.
“Everything the Knicks do at the end with Jalen Brunson seems to be really hard, and it’s a lot of dribbles.”
Jalen Brunson demonstrated a Steph Curry impersonation for New York in Game 1, finishing with a game-high 43 points.
However, he just disappeared in overtime. Brunson registered six points, but went 1-3 from the field. He also tallied two key turnovers as the Pacers’ defense completely swarmed him on every offensive possession.
“You make things easier for Jalen Brunson. You know, we love to see him score 40. We love to see him score whenever he’s scoring, but I think the Knicks overlook the fact that Jalen Brunson does a whole lot and exerts a whole lot of energy scoring that 40,” Shumpert added.
“I would just like for things to look a lot easier for him. I would like it to be more pick-and-roll, him being able to split or just get around that hedge defender and have a one-two step into a nice, simple jumper—not so much isolation, not so much beating and banging against guys and trying to make a play at the rim.
“I just think he goes through a whole lot, and at the end of the game sometimes he’s a little gassed, and rightfully so. I don’t want to have that much pressure on him at the end of the game.”
Will Tom Thibodeau apply a more collective approach in closing out games for the Knicks against the Pacers? We will find out in Game 2 on May 23.
