When you’re up 20 points in the Conference Finals and the roof is about to blow off Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the last thing you expect is to watch it all slip away. But for Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers, Game 3 became one long fourth-quarter horror movie—and Karl-Anthony Towns was the masked villain with a deadly wrist flick. But before we start handing out blame like Patrick Beverley does microphones, let’s dive into what really happened, what Tyrese had to say, and why Aaron Nesmith’s ankle might be the most understated plot twist in the Pacers’ playoff script.
Tyrese Haliburton didn’t pull a Ben Simmons disappearing act in the post-game presser. He faced the music like a true leader and didn’t sugarcoat what went wrong. When asked about the game plan against Karl-Anthony Towns, who casually detonated for 20 fourth-quarter points, Tyrese didn’t shy away.
“I thought we probably fouled too much down there,” Haliburton said. “He’s just a guy who—flick of the wrist—you know, he can see over a guy. Seven-foot, big dude. So, you know, we gotta get up and just do a better job of showing help in the gaps.”
Translated from NBA-speak: Towns went full “MyCareer build” mode, and Indiana’s defense turned into a G-League tutorial. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but make no mistake—the bulk of that came when it mattered most. And while the Pacers’ defense tried to wall him off, it was more paper-thin than an Isaiah Jackson DNP explanation.
Haliburton also took ownership of the offensive side of things. The Pacers had built a solid rhythm, leading by as many as 20 and entering the fourth quarter up 10. But then the Knicks turned the defensive intensity up to 2004 Pistons level, and Indiana couldn’t buy a bucket—even if they had Steve Ballmer money.
Jan 12, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) on the sidelines before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
“It felt like a lot of kickouts today,” Tyrese said. “Just trying to feel out the game, you know, see who’s rotating over… I could definitely be better there. But again, I’ll watch the film, see areas of improvement, see how I can get better for Game 4.”
It’s worth noting that Haliburton still had 20 points, seven assists, three steals, and shot nearly 47% from the floor. But his 2-of-8 from deep looked rougher than Shaq’s free throws in the early 2000s. But let’s give credit where it’s due.
Knicks Bench = Certified Chaos Agents
New York’s bench unit of Josh Hart, Delon Wright, Deuce McBride, and Landry Shamet didn’t just play—they pounced. “All four of the guys that played off the bench are really defensive guys, and they come in and wreak havoc,” Haliburton said.
And wreak havoc they did. Jalen Brunson had foul trouble. OG Anunoby was doing OG things. But it was the Knicks’ role players who played like they were powered by 2K Gatorade boosts, making life miserable for Haliburton and company. Deuce McBride especially looked like he had just unlocked Hall of Fame Clamps.
Now to the plot twist—Aaron Nesmith’s sprained ankle. The Pacers were up 70–57 when he limped off. When he returned in the fourth, the momentum had already swung harder than a Metta World Peace elbow. And while head coach Rick Carlisle refused to blame it all on Nesmith’s brief absence, the timing doesn’t lie. “You lose a guy like that, it affects your ability to close a quarter,” Carlisle said. “But we’re not gonna make excuses.”
Haliburton, though, kept it real (again). “We’ll see what happens, you know, how he’s feeling… he gutted it out for us, came through. Double A is a big part of what we do. So yeah, obviously not ideal.” Nesmith’s stat line wasn’t flashy—8 points, 7 rebounds—but his defensive presence and hustle have been vital to the Pacers’ identity. Without him at full strength, it’s like trying to defend Karl-Anthony Towns with a training cone.
May 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
This isn’t just a loss—it’s a wake-up call. The Knicks have now erased two 20-point deficits in this postseason. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern. Indiana now leads the series 2-1, but with Game 4 looming on Tuesday, the pressure is officially on.
Haliburton needs to get back to orchestrating like he’s Quincy Jones in sneakers. The bench must hold their own against New York’s chaos crew. And most importantly, someone needs to find a way to slow down Karl-Anthony Towns—maybe trick him into thinking it’s the 2021 Play-In Tournament again?
This was one of those games Pacers fans will remember like Game 6 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals—but for all the wrong reasons. Tyrese Haliburton deserves credit for owning it. Now the Pacers have to prove they’re not just a good story—they’re a real threat. Because as every millennial NBA fan knows… a 2-1 lead ain’t what it used to be.
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