The Indiana Pacers secured a 106-104 win over the New York Knicks on Friday in an NBA Cup matchup held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Despite missing superstar Tyrese Haliburton, the team managed to hold off the defending NBA Cup champions in a closely contested finish, as reported by ClutchPoints.
The game concluded when a potential game-tying jumper from Karl-Anthony Towns missed at the buzzer.
Kelly Oubre Jr. played a significant role in the victory, contributing 16 points to a balanced offensive effort.
Following the game, Oubre Jr. praised the home crowd for their vocal support throughout the contest.
He described the atmosphere during the press conference, noting, “It was gnarly, man. It was loud, it was proud.”
Oubre Jr. further stated that the arena reached its highest volume level since he joined the organization, according to Yahoo Sports.
Teammate T.J. McConnell also highlighted the importance of the fan base to the team’s overall success.
McConnell expressed his gratitude for the supporters, stating, “I think they’re the best in the league.”
The offensive production for Indiana was led by Pascal Siakam, who scored 19 points, and Aaron Nesmith, who added 18 points.
All five starters for the Pacers finished the game scoring in double figures.
The win improved the Pacers’ overall record to 5-8, moving them to 1-1 in the NBA Cup East Group B standings.
The Knicks, who entered the contest as the defending champions of the tournament, struggled to overcome the deficit in the closing seconds, noted the outlets.
The team now prepares for future matchups as they look to build on this momentum.
The organization continues to monitor the health of its roster following recent injury reports, as mentioned by local media.