The Knicks (42*-25) conclude a five-game road trip tonight against the 15-50 Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Currently, their four-game season series stands tied at one win apiece. The Knicks, coming off a shaky victory in Utah, have won six of their last ten games; Indy lost to the Suns last night and have dropped 11 straight.
These teams last met on February 10, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, when the Pacers outlasted the Knicks 137-134 in overtime. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 30 points,
six rebounds, and four assists, while Andrew Nembhard added 24 points and 10 assists. Jalen Brunson poured in 40 points to go with eight assists and five rebounds for New York in the loss.
Indiana’s season has been grim. They have the league’s worst record, offensive rating, and point differential, allowing 120 points per game. They rank 25th in defensive rating while hovering near the bottom in scoring defense and overall efficiency. None of it matters, of course, because they always approach a Knicks game like it’s game seven of the conference finals.
All-Star Pascal Siakam has been Indiana’s focal point, averaging 24 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game and carrying a big usage load as their primary scorer. With Tyrese Haliburton out all season, Andrew Nembhard has stabilized the backcourt as a lead guard, contributing 17.2 PPG while orchestrating the offense with 7.3 APG. Aaron Nesmith has chipped in as their best 3-and-D option, averaging 13.1 PPG and 4.5 RPG.
The injury report is stacked for the Hoosiers. OAKAAKUYOAK Obi Topppin (foot), Siakam (knee), Nesmith (ankle), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), and Quenton Jackson (calf) are all OUT. Look for coach Rick Carlisle to start Nembhard, Ethan Thompson, Jarace Walker, plus the recently acquired Kobe Brown and Ivica Zubac.
On the Knicks’ side of the injury list, Karl-Anthony Towns—who’s played excellent hoops since the All-Star break— and Josh Hart are both game-time decisions due to knee trouble. Miles McBride is expected to be out until at least April 1, recovering from his hernia surgery.
Prediction
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Knicks an 84% chance of winning. Nope. I don’t care that the Pacers have the worst record in the NBA, nor that Siakam and most of the rotation are in beds at the nearest hospital. Nope, nope, NOPE. Decades ago, some hick from French Lick sold his soul to Satan on the promise that his beloved Indiana Pacers would always bedevil the mighty New York Knicks, and old Scratch (who plays a phenomenal Al Pacino) has yet to let down his end of the bargain. Look for the Ethan Thompson—who’s never topped 15 points in an NBA game—to hit six three-pointers, Zubac to grab 17 boards, and the loser Hoosiers to give the Knicks fits until late in the third quarter. After that, though: smooth sailing. Knicks win by 15.
Game Details
Who: New York Knicks (42*-25) at Indiana Pacers (15-51)
Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are allergic to record books.
