The New York Knicks saw their chances of advancing in the NBA Cup diminish significantly after a 106-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.
The team fell to 0-2 in group play, placing them at the bottom of the East Group B standings, according to Yahoo Sports.
Historical data suggests that no team with two losses in group play has reached the knockout rounds since the tournament’s 2023 inception.
The Pacers secured the victory despite playing without star Tyrese Haliburton, who remains sidelined with a left hamstring strain, as reported by league news outlets.
New York managed to erase a 14-point deficit late in the third quarter but could not overcome a late 13-2 run by Indiana.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points and 11 assists, yet his performance was not enough to counter a balanced Pacers attack.
Every Indiana starter scored in double figures, with Pascal Siakam leading the effort with 19 points, per the game summary.
The Pacers also benefited from 29 points provided by their bench unit.
The Knicks had a final opportunity to tie the game in the closing moments after an inbounds error by Indiana, but a shot by Karl-Anthony Towns failed to connect.
This defeat dropped the Knicks to a 6-6 record in the regular season, marking a difficult start for a roster that retained most of its championship core.
Following the game, the NBA confirmed the final result on social media, noting the intensity of the matchup.
The loss leaves the defending Cup champions in a precarious position as they look to salvage the remainder of their tournament schedule.
While the team remains hopeful for internal improvement, the statistical reality of the tournament format makes a return to the knockout rounds highly unlikely for New York this season.