Knicks Disappoint NBA Fans as Pacers Cruise to Game 7 Win; Brunson Exits with Injury

Andrew PetersMay 19, 2024

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks' season is over after they fell short against the Indiana Pacers 130-109 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The already injury-riddled Knicks took another blow when star point guard Jalen Brunson exited the game in the second half with a fractured hand. Without Brunson, New York didn't have enough to overcome a 70-55 halftime deficit.

The Knicks got an outstanding performance from Donte DiVincenzo, who had 39 points, but all the injuries left New York severely undermanned against the Pacers.

Indiana didn't give the Knicks a break either, shooting a playoff-record 67.1 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from deep.

After the game, Knicks fans lamented the loss and the seemingly never-ending injuries throughout the season.

NBACentral @TheDunkCentral
Gotta feel bad for Knicks fans <a href="https://t.co/vODylEaKBJ">pic.twitter.com/vODylEaKBJ</a>

Complex Sports @ComplexSports
The Knicks season will end with injuries to: Jalen Brunson Julius Randle Mitchell Robinson OG Anunoby Bojan Bogdanovic Josh Hart <a href="https://t.co/RoI6PxLgAr">pic.twitter.com/RoI6PxLgAr</a>

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KnicksMuse @KnicksMuse
Jalen Brunson's season is over. An absolutely incredible year and playoff run, giving us everything he had. <a href="https://t.co/KKEVQMRF68">https://t.co/KKEVQMRF68</a> <a href="https://t.co/C0Q25Y8J8f">pic.twitter.com/C0Q25Y8J8f</a>

Rodger Sherman @rodger
And there goes the most fun playoff run of my adult life as a Knicks fan. See you next year everyone <a href="https://t.co/drIvR7rd5Z">https://t.co/drIvR7rd5Z</a>

Molly Morrison @mollyhannahm
this knicks team has been so electrifying to watch. injuries are the worst.

Rachel Nichols @Rachel__Nichols
Jalen Brunson breaking his hand as he tries to win a Game 7 pretty much sums up this Knicks season - players who are so relentless and invested they push themselves to the limit, only to be undone by injuries.

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The main reason Indiana is leading by 15 at half? The Pacers had the best shooting half in a playoff game in the last 25 years, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNStatsInfo</a>, shooting 76 percent to surpass the Spurs in the first half of Game 3 of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Heat. <a href="https://t.co/JVZBgvl27u">https://t.co/JVZBgvl27u</a>

Fred Katz @FredKatz
The Pacers are shooting 67.6 percent from the field, pacing for the greatest shooting game in NBA playoff history. The current record belongs to the 1989-90 Celtics, who shot 67.0 percent in a 29-point win over the Knicks.

You Aint Handsome, You Ugly! @PutROSSInUrLife
Knicks folded like crazy

Svn Frvncisco D.E.O. @DEO415
Tragic end for the Knicks

Josiah Johnson @KingJosiah54
Knicks watching the Pacers fly to Boston to play the Celtics in the ECF <a href="https://t.co/AYLYzmFqs0">pic.twitter.com/AYLYzmFqs0</a>

Considering all of the injuries, it was a commendable playoff run for the Knicks, but ultimately their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000 will have to wait.

As for Indiana, it will face off against the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the conference finals. It marks the first appearance for the Pacers since 2014, and they'll be looking to earn their first Finals berth since the 1999-2000 season.