The energy around an Indiana-New York matchup is just different. It doesn't matter if it's a random Tuesday or a Game 7. You feel it in the building. Today, though, the vibe is a little strange. If you’re looking for a Pacers vs Knicks today clash on the court, you’re actually going to find both teams dealing with completely different realities.
The Knicks are currently at home preparing for a massive litmus test against Phoenix tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Pacers are at Gainbridge Fieldhouse right now hosting the New Orleans Pelicans. It's a weird quirk of the schedule, but it highlights exactly where these two franchises sit in the Eastern Conference hierarchy as we hit the mid-way point of January 2026.
The State of the Pacers vs Knicks Today
Honestly, the gap between these two right now is wider than most fans expected after that classic 2025 playoff run. New York is sitting near the top of the Atlantic Division. They've got 25 wins and are breathing down the necks of the Boston Celtics. Indiana? It’s been a rough ride. They are currently 10-32, sitting at the bottom of the East.
It's heartbreaking for Indy fans. Just seven months ago, this team was in the NBA Finals. They took Oklahoma City to seven games. They were the darlings of the league. Then the Achilles injury happened. Tyrese Haliburton went down, and the floor basically fell out from under the franchise. Without their engine, the Pacers have been forced into a "survival mode" that hasn't yielded many wins.
What’s going on in the Garden?
New York is in a "championship or bust" window. You can see it in every move Leon Rose makes. Bringing in Karl-Anthony Towns was the signal. But even with KAT and Jalen Brunson, things aren't perfect. The Knicks just dropped a frustrating game to Golden State where they blew a lead and couldn't stop Steph Curry.
There's some internal tension brewing in NYC. Fans on Reddit and Twitter are already calling for Mike Brown to tighten the rotations. They’re worried about KAT only putting up 17 points when they needed 30. When you're paying a center $50 million, the expectations are just massive. You’ve gotta dominate, not just "play well."
Why we can't stop talking about this matchup
Even when they aren't playing each other on a specific night, the Pacers vs Knicks today conversation is dominated by the ghost of their recent series. That 2025 Eastern Conference battle was legendary. It revived a rivalry that had been dormant since the Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing days.
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The Knicks led that series. Then they didn't. Then the Pacers surged. It was a rollercoaster of emotions that ended with Indiana proving they were for real. But injuries are the great equalizer in the NBA. While the Knicks reloaded, the Pacers have been decimated.
- Tyrese Haliburton: Out for the season (Achilles).
- Bennedict Mathurin: Out with a thumb sprain.
- Obi Toppin: Sidelined with a foot fracture.
- Isaiah Jackson: Dealing with a concussion.
It’s hard to build chemistry when your starting lineup changes every other night. Indiana has used 23 different starting lineups this season. Think about that for a second. Twenty-three. You can't even get a rhythm at the local YMCA with that much turnover, let alone in the NBA.
The Pascal Siakam Factor
Despite the losing record, Pascal Siakam has been a pro's pro. He’s averaging nearly 24 points and 8 rebounds this month. He's basically the only reason the Pacers have stayed competitive in games. On December 18th, when these two actually did face off, the Knicks barely escaped with a 114-113 win.
That game showed that even a "depleted" Pacers team has the Knicks' number in some ways. They play a style that New York finds annoying. It's fast, it's scrappy, and they never really go away. Andrew Nembhard has also stepped up, averaging over 18 points and 8 assists in January. He’s looking like the guy we saw in the 2025 Finals run.
Looking at the Standings
The East is kind of a mess right now. The Detroit Pistons are surprisingly leading the pack with 29 wins. The Knicks are in third, just five games back. For New York, every game feels like a must-win because the Raptors and Magic are right behind them.
For the Pacers, the goal has shifted. They aren't looking at the playoffs anymore. They’re looking at the lottery and the development of guys like Jarace Walker. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a team that was so close to a ring, but that’s the reality of professional sports.
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What to watch for moving forward
If you’re tracking the Pacers vs Knicks today, you need to keep an eye on the February 10th matchup. That’s the next time these two actually share a court. By then, we’ll know if New York has fixed their defensive issues and if Indiana has found a trade partner for some of their veteran pieces.
The Knicks need more from Jalen Brunson. He’s been incredible—averaging 28 points—but he’s carrying a massive load. In their last few losses, you could see the fatigue. If New York wants to avoid another early playoff exit, they have to find a way to win games when Brunson isn't superhuman.
Tactical takeaways for the next meeting
- Paint Protection: The Knicks have struggled to stop transition points. Indiana lives in transition.
- Bench Depth: With the Pacers so injured, the Knicks' bench should dominate, but Josh Hart and Miles McBride need to be more aggressive.
- The KAT Dilemma: Karl-Anthony Towns has to be the second option, not the third. If he’s only taking 10-12 shots, the Knicks' offense becomes too predictable.
Basically, the rivalry is in a holding pattern. We're waiting for Indiana to get healthy and for New York to find their final gear. It’s a "what if" season for the Pacers and a "must do" season for the Knicks.
Keep your eyes on the injury reports and the Eastern Conference standings. The landscape changes every week. For now, New York fans should be happy with their top-three seed, while Indy fans just need to hold on until Haliburton returns next year.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the local broadcast schedules for the February 10th rematch.
- Monitor Tyrese Haliburton’s recovery updates via the official Pacers team site for 2026-27 projections.
- Track the NBA trade deadline (coming up in February) to see if New York adds a perimeter defender to help their struggling 3-point defense.