Pascal Siakam scores 39 as Pacers take a 2-0 lead over Knicks in the series.
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NEW YORK — After a quiet showing in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Indiana Pacers made it a priority to get Pascal Siakam more involved in the offense for Friday’s matchup against the New York Knicks.
The plan paid off immediately.
Siakam scored Indiana’s first 11 points, finished with 17 in the opening quarter, and went on to post a playoff career-high 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting. He also contributed five rebounds and three assists. His dominant performance quieted the Madison Square Garden crowd and helped the Pacers secure a 114-109 victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the series ahead of Game 3 in Indianapolis on Sunday.
"That's why we brought him here," Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. "He can score in so many different ways."
Siakam’s Rebound Performance
Building on his struggles in Game 1, Siakam showcased his skill at hitting shots off passes and contested attempts, while effectively handling Knicks forward OG Anunoby, his primary defender.
| Stat Category | Game 1 | Game 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 17 | 39 |
| Shooting vs Anunoby | 0-3 | 4-6 |
| Contested FG Made | 3-9 | 7-9 |
| FG Off Passes | 4-7 | 9-12 |
— ESPN Research
"We just kept feeding him the ball," Haliburton added. "He made big shots that killed momentum. In an environment like this, that’s huge."
Siakam, a 2019 Raptors champion, has brought valuable experience since being traded to Indiana in January 2024. Despite the series lead, he urged his teammates to stay grounded.
"You can’t ride a wave. You can’t get too high or too low," Siakam said. "I appreciate the opportunity to have teammates who want to hear my voice."
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised Siakam’s quiet but impactful 39-point night, noting the difficulty of scoring against a physical defense.
"He was the guy who got us going and pulled us through tough moments," Carlisle said.
Siakam’s matchup against former Raptors teammate OG Anunoby added extra motivation. After being held scoreless against Anunoby in Game 1, Siakam improved to 4-for-6 when guarded by him in Game 2.
"It’s amazing to compete against someone from Toronto at this level," Siakam said. "It pushes you to compete harder."