Honestly, if you grew up watching Reggie Miller give Spike Lee the "choke" sign or saw the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals turn into a literal war of attrition, you know this isn't just another game on the calendar. A Pacers vs Knicks match feels different. It’s louder. It’s pettier.
But as we sit here in January 2026, the vibe is shifting in a way most fans didn't see coming.
While the New York Knicks have spent the last few months cementing themselves as a genuine powerhouse in the East—currently sitting at a solid 25-14 record—the Indiana Pacers have been on a bizarre, rollercoaster journey. Indiana started the season looking like they’d forgotten how to play basketball, stumbling to a 6-31 start. Then, suddenly, something clicked. They’ve won four of their last five games, including a gutsy 127-119 win over the Pelicans just last night.
The Jalen Brunson "Silver Lining" Situation
The biggest story right now isn't even the score. It’s Jalen Brunson’s right ankle.
On January 14, 2026, Brunson limped off the court against the Kings. For a second, Madison Square Garden felt like it lost its oxygen. The Knicks are 3-5 this season when they don't have their floor general, and with Josh Hart already dealing with his own ankle issues, things looked bleak.
✨ Don't miss: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
However, the word from the locker room is actually pretty optimistic. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reported seeing Brunson walk out of the arena without crutches or a boot. That’s huge. It looks like a minor tweak rather than the kind of structural disaster that ends a season. New York is playing it safe, listing him as day-to-day.
Without Brunson, the Knicks transform. They become more of a "by committee" offense. Karl-Anthony Towns has to carry a heavier scoring load, and Mikal Bridges is forced into more secondary playmaking roles. It’s effective, but it lacks that "clutch gene" Brunson provides when the clock is winding down in the fourth quarter.
Why the Indiana Pacers Are Suddenly Scary Again
Don't let that 10-32 record fool you. This isn't the same team that was getting blown out by thirty in November.
Rick Carlisle has been shuffling the deck like a Vegas dealer. He’s used 23 different starting lineups this season. Think about that for a second. It’s pure chaos. But lately, the chemistry has actually stabilized.
🔗 Read more: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
- Pascal Siakam is still the engine, averaging 23.6 points per game.
- Jay Huff just dropped a career-high 29 points.
- Tyrese Haliburton is finding his rhythm again after a shaky start to the year.
The Pacers are currently the "trap team" of the NBA. They play with a desperate, nothing-to-lose energy that catches elite teams like the Knicks off guard. In their last meeting on December 18, 2025, the Knicks barely escaped with a 114-113 win. Indiana was right there. They had the ball with a chance to win and just couldn't close the door.
Breaking Down the Matchup (Beyond the Box Score)
When these two teams meet, the stats usually go out the window, but a few trends are hard to ignore.
New York’s defense is their calling card. They rank in the top half of the league for points allowed, mostly because Tom Thibodeau will probably still be screaming defensive rotations from his porch when he's 90. They make you work for every single inch of hardwood.
Indiana, conversely, is a track team. They want to turn the Pacers vs Knicks match into a 100-meter dash. They rank 10th in the league in pace. If they can get the Knicks to stop playing "Thibs-ball" and start sprinting, the Pacers have a legitimate chance to pull off an upset.
💡 You might also like: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
The Rivalry History (The Weight of the Past)
You can't talk about this matchup without mentioning the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers took that series 4-2, ending New York’s dreams in a way that still feels raw for Knicks fans. People forget that Indiana shot a playoff-record 67.1% from the field in the previous year's Game 7 at the Garden. That kind of history doesn't just disappear. It creates a "booing atmosphere" that starts the moment the Pacers' bus pulls up to the arena.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're watching or betting on the next meeting (scheduled for February 10, 2026), keep these three things in mind:
- Monitor the Injury Report: If Brunson is out, the Under becomes a very attractive play. The Knicks' offense slows to a crawl without him, focusing on post-ups for KAT and isolations for Bridges.
- Watch the First Quarter Pace: If the Pacers lead the fast-break points early, they’ll likely cover the spread. They need that momentum to overcome the Knicks' superior depth.
- The "Trap Game" Factor: The Knicks often struggle against teams with losing records when they are looking ahead to bigger matchups. Check if they have a game against Boston or Philly immediately after the Pacers.
The rivalry is alive and well, even if the standings don't show it. Indiana is hungry to play spoiler, and New York is just trying to stay healthy for the long haul.
Next Step for You: Check the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off on February 10th. If Jalen Brunson is cleared to play, expect the line to jump by at least 3-4 points in New York's favor. You should also keep an eye on Jay Huff's minutes; if Carlisle keeps feeding the hot hand, he could be the X-factor that breaks the Knicks' interior defense.