The New York Knicks took a 23-point beating at the hands of the reigning champion Boston Celtics in their season opener.
This time, the Knicks are the ones who gave a drubbing against a familiar foe.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double in his Madison Square Garden debut, and the Knicks racked their first win of the season by demolishing the Indiana Pacers, 123-98.
KNICKS WIN THE HOME OPENER! 🗽 pic.twitter.com/vCXRPlWQ7D
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) October 26, 2024
It was their first encounter since the thrilling seven-game East semifinal clash last playoffs.
Towns racked up 21 points and 15 rebounds in 32 minutes, putting on an impressive showing in his first game at “The World's Most Famous Arena.”
KAT scoring at every level in his MSG debut!@nyknicks 19@Pacers 16#KiaTipOff24 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/ghkqfAw2Tg
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
Mikal Bridges, who alongside Towns are New York’s big-name acquisitions in the offseason, put up 21 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting.
MIKAL BRIDGES LOCKED IN AT MSG 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
He's 8-10 from the field in his @nyknicks home debut!#KiaTipOff24 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/fu6TqewbOM
Superstar guard Jalen Brunson topscored the Knicks with 29 points, Josh Hart chipping 20 points and OG Anunoby pouring 14 more.
Reject the screen.
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
Get the defense on your hip.
Finish at the rim.
Jalen Brunson is a bucket-getter 🔥
Knicks lead in 2Q on ESPN. #KiaTipOff24 pic.twitter.com/8qAKNqnQ0q
After a forgettable season debut, New York responded convincingly in their first home game of the season against the team who ended their title aspirations in the last postseason.
They outscored the Pacers, 70-40, in the second and third quarters, led by as many as 35 points, and held Indiana superstar guard Tyrese Haliburton scoreless in a game for the first time since March 2.
Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin tallied a team-high 20 points off the bench to banner the Pacers, who suffered their first setback of the season after a 115-109 win against the Pistons.
this is ball movement 😤
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 26, 2024
it leads to the deep three from Bennedict Mathurin. pic.twitter.com/EIUtFaaRnm
Only two Indiana starters scored in double figures with Myles Turner collecting 13 markers and Pascal Siakam adding 12. Isaiah Jackson had 10 points.
A poor shooting from deep (3-of-28 or 11%) coupled with 16 turnovers spelled doom for the Pacers despite moving the ball better statistically against the Knicks, 28-19.
In the first two games of the season, Indiana, who reached the East Finals last playoffs for the first time since 2014, now shot a combined 12-of-61 from downtown or just a measly 20% conversion.
Both teams will meet once anew on November 11.
The Pacers will return home to host the Philadelphia 76ers while the Knicks welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers next.
