The Indiana Pacers faced what looked like a crushing playoff defeat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Down 15 points with under five minutes remaining, the writing seemed on the wall. The New York Knicks maintained a 14-point cushion with less than three minutes left.
Then everything changed.
Indiana mounted one of the most remarkable comebacks in playoff history, erasing the deficit and defeating New York in overtime.
The rally caught the attention of many, including FOX Sports host Chris Broussard, who saw something deeper in the Pacers’ performance.
“For the last three weeks or so, it has felt like the Knicks are in a season of destiny. … In reality, the team of destiny might be the Pacers, because they were doing similar things, but not as many people were paying attention,” Broussard said on “First Things First.”
“For the last three weeks or so, it has felt like the Knicks are in a season of destiny… In reality, the team of destiny might be the Pacers.”@Chris_Broussard breaks down Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1: pic.twitter.com/v7LdJ8rBy8
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 22, 2025
Broussard initially believed the Knicks were riding something special through their postseason journey.
The gritty battles and dramatic comebacks felt like the makings of a storybook run. New York’s resilience had impressed him throughout their playoff push.
But the Eastern Conference Finals have shifted his perspective.
The analyst, who picked Indiana to win the series, described the finish as unlike anything he had witnessed.
Even Reggie Miller’s legendary playoff heroics paled in comparison to what unfolded. Yet Broussard also recognized that New York contributed to its own downfall.
Missed free throws from reliable shooters haunted the Knicks down the stretch, and Jalen Brunson, typically steady in crucial moments, made uncharacteristic errors when his team needed him most.
Indiana capitalized on every opportunity and executed its game plan flawlessly in the final minutes.
