Sport

Knicks vs. Pacers: Josh Hart’s Career Night Powers a Statement Win

Quick Summary

The New York Knicks routed the Indiana Pacers 136-110 on March 17, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. Josh Hart delivered a season-high 33 points, shooting an near-perfect 12-of-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from three. OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns backed him up in a dominant fourth straight win for New York.

Good news for Knicks fans, tough night for Indiana — here’s the full breakdown.


Final Score

TeamScore
Indiana Pacers110
New York Knicks136

Knicks Player Stats

  • Josh Hart — 33 points (season high), 12-13 FG, 5-5 3PT
  • OG Anunoby — 26 points
  • Karl-Anthony Towns — 22 points, 11 rebounds

Hart’s shooting efficiency was the story of the night — a near-flawless outing that anchored New York’s offense from start to finish. Anunoby’s scoring surge in the first quarter set the tone early, and Towns’ double-double gave the Knicks control on the boards.

Pacers Player Stats

  • Jarace Walker — 16 points (team high)

Indiana played the game without Pascal Siakam, who missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right knee — a significant absence that limited the Pacers’ scoring firepower.


How the Game Unfolded

  • Indiana led 12-11 early before Anunoby scored 8 straight points to flip the momentum.
  • Knicks closed the first quarter ahead 38-34.
  • The Pacers briefly regained the lead 44-43 and later pushed it to 57-51.
  • New York answered with a 21-7 run to close the half, taking a commanding 72-64 lead into the break.
  • The Knicks never looked back, cruising to the final 136-110 margin.

What This Means Going Forward

This result marked New York’s fourth straight win, reinforcing their strong late-season form. For Indiana, it extended a rough stretch — a 14-game losing streak — compounded by Siakam’s continued absence.

  • Pacers: Host Portland next.
  • Knicks: Visit Brooklyn next.

This Season’s Full Head-to-Head Series

The Knicks and Pacers have played several closely watched games this season, and the season series tells a story of its own — swinging from Indiana’s dramatic overtime win to a stretch of dominant Knicks victories.

February 10, 2026 — Pacers 137, Knicks 134 (OT)

Indiana snapped a four-game losing streak in thrilling fashion, winning in overtime after New York forced extra time on a clutch pair of free throws.

  • Pascal Siakam — 30 points (Pacers)
  • Andrew Nembhard — 24 points, 10 assists (Pacers)
  • Jalen Brunson — 40 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds (Knicks)
  • Josh Hart — 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists (triple-double)
  • Karl-Anthony Towns — 22 points, 14 rebounds (fouled out in OT)

This game featured 39 lead changes, the most in the NBA all season, and Indiana’s bench outscored New York’s 43-18. Towns forced overtime with two free throws with just 0.2 seconds left in regulation, but the Pacers pulled away in the extra period to snap their skid.

March 13, 2026 — Knicks 101, Pacers 92

New York answered with a road win just weeks later.

  • Jalen Brunson — 29 points, 9 assists (Knicks)
  • OG Anunoby — 25 points, 8 rebounds (Knicks)
  • Mitchell Robinson — 22 rebounds (career high), 12 points (Knicks)
  • Jarace Walker — 18 points, 9 rebounds (Pacers)
  • Aaron Nesmith — 12 points (Pacers)

Indiana rallied from a 14-point deficit to briefly lead in the third quarter, but New York closed the game on a 7-0 run down the stretch to secure its sixth win in nine games.

December 18, 2025 — Knicks 114, Pacers 113

An earlier meeting this season also went down to the wire, with Jalen Brunson hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with 4.4 seconds remaining and OG Anunoby sealing the win with a steal on the ensuing inbound pass. Brunson finished with 25 points.


A Storied Rivalry

The Knicks-Pacers matchup carries extra weight because of a rivalry dating back to 1977, one of the most intense in NBA history. The two teams met in the playoffs six times between 1993 and 2000, and the rivalry resurfaced in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, where Indiana eliminated New York in six games behind Tyrese Haliburton’s historic performances. As of this season, New York holds the all-time regular-season edge, while Indiana leads the all-time postseason series.

That playoff history adds context to every regular-season meeting between these two teams — each game carries a bit of unfinished business for both fan bases.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the most recent Knicks vs. Pacers game? The New York Knicks won 136-110 on March 17, 2026, at Madison Square Garden.

Who had the most points in the Knicks vs. Pacers game? Josh Hart led all scorers with a season-high 33 points on 12-of-13 shooting.

Did Pascal Siakam play in this game? No — Siakam missed the game with a sprained right knee, his fifth straight absence.

How many games have the Knicks and Pacers played this season? The teams have met multiple times this season, including a 136-110 Knicks win (March 17), a 101-92 Knicks win (March 13), and a 137-134 overtime win for the Pacers (February 10).

Is there a rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers? Yes — the Knicks-Pacers rivalry dates back to 1977 and includes multiple playoff clashes, most recently a 2025 Eastern Conference Finals matchup won by Indiana.

Who has the better all-time record between the Knicks and Pacers? New York holds the edge in the regular season, while Indiana has the better postseason record between the two teams.

What happened in the last overtime game between these teams? On February 10, 2026, the Pacers beat the Knicks 137-134 in overtime, led by Pascal Siakam’s 30 points and Andrew Nembhard’s 24 points and 10 assists, despite Jalen Brunson’s 40-point effort for New York.

How many points did Jalen Brunson score against the Pacers this season? Brunson scored 40 points in the February 10 overtime loss, 29 points in the March 13 win, and 25 points in the December 18 win — three of the season’s four meetings.


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