Knicks’ valiant comeback against Pacers falls short with NBA Cup reign likely kaput

The New York Knicks lost 106-104 to the Indiana Pacers after a late comeback fell short, leaving their defence of the NBA Cup in serious doubt. Karl-Anthony Towns missed the potential winning shot, while Jalen Brunson, who had made a similar clutch shot against Indiana a year earlier, was used as a decoy.

The Knicks recovered from an eight-point deficit in the final 90 seconds, helped by Indiana turnovers and Mikal Bridges’ pressure on an inbounds pass. Brunson scored 33 points and had 11 assists; Towns recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds, extending his season-opening double-double streak to 12 and breaking a 56-year franchise record. New York is 0-2 in its five-team Cup group, and no team has advanced from the group stage with a record worse than 3-1.