The Indiana Pacers secured a narrow 106-104 victory over the New York Knicks during an NBA Cup matchup on Friday night.
Head coach Rick Carlisle expressed pride in his team’s ability to compete despite entering the game as significant underdogs against the reigning champions, according to Yahoo Sports.
Indiana played without star Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined due to an injury, while the Knicks fielded a relatively healthy roster.
Reflecting on the hard-fought win, Carlisle noted the resilience of his players in a statement reported by ClutchPoints.
“We were a pretty big underdog coming into this game tonight and we knew we were gonna have to really battle,” Carlisle said.
“Our guys kept fighting…it was a good win,” the coach added.
Five players reached double-digit scoring for Indiana to help seal the result.
Pascal Siakam led the team with 19 points, while Aaron Nesmith contributed 18 points and seven rebounds.
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 16 points, and both Andrew Nembhard and Ivica Zubac chipped in with 12 points apiece.
With this win, the Pacers improved their season record to 5-8, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference standings.
The team currently sits ahead of the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets but remains behind the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors.
Looking ahead, the Pacers are scheduled to face the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Nov. 15.
Carlisle, who has served as the Pacers’ head coach for a decade, continues to lead the franchise as they strive to return to the postseason following their 2025 run to the NBA Finals.
The organization is currently monitoring the health status of several key contributors, including Haliburton, as they navigate a challenging early-season schedule, the outlets reported.