Las Vegas Summer League: Knicks vs. Pacers
In a dramatic finish at the Las Vegas Summer League, the New York Knicks staged an impressive but ultimately unsuccessful comeback against the Indiana Pacers, narrowly falling 91-88. Despite being down by as many as 17 points, the Knicks’ late-game rally showcased the potential of their young roster.
Key Performers
Leading the charge for New York was MarJon Beauchamp, who had an outstanding performance with 28 points, including six three-pointers on 11 attempts. Tyler Kolek also contributed, finishing with 14 points, although his later game was marred by five turnovers.
The Knicks were missing several key players, such as Kevin McCullar Jr., Pacome Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti, and Mohamed Diawara, creating opportunities for others on the squad. Dink Pate stepped up with 11 points, while Anton Watson and Yudai Baba added nine points each to the effort.
Pacers’ Standouts
On the other side of the court, Kam Jones shone for the Pacers, recording a strong stat line with 21 points and 11 assists. Enrique Freeman was also pivotal, contributing 18 points, ten rebounds, and four assists.
Game Highlights
Lance Ware made his first start after limited play in previous games, showing promise early with a slam dunk and drawing fouls right off the bat.
Beauchamp quickly found his rhythm, scoring seven points in the opening quarter, including an inside floater and a three-pointer. The first quarter ended tightly, with the Pacers holding a slight edge at 17-16.
However, Indiana pulled ahead with a 16-0 run, capitalizing on a stagnant Knicks offense. Freeman’s flawless shooting in the second quarter was significant, as he scored all 12 of his first-half points, including a spectacular alley-oop.
Although Beauchamp was the sole player consistently pushing the offense for New York—factoring in 19 points by halftime—the Knicks struggled with long-range shooting, sitting at 5-for-15 compared to the Pacers’ 8-for-17. They went into the locker room trailing 52-38.
Second Half Comeback
As the second half began, Baba found his scoring touch with a three-pointer and a reverse layup. The Knicks regrouped and leaned into back cuts and continued to feed Beauchamp, which ignited a 9-0 scoring run that narrowed the gap to 68-59 by the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, the team’s momentum surged. Dink Pate scored a trio of buckets, including a three-pointer that showcased his talent. A highlight play from Anton Watson, who completed a dunk over Freeman, brought the crowd to its feet and brought New York to within two points.
With one minute and a half remaining, Kolek delivered an impressive step-back jumper to tie the game. The back-and-forth continued until a series of free throws and a missed defensive opportunity left the Knicks scrambling to close the gap. Despite a last-minute effort to tie the game with a three-pointer from Kolek, the shot didn’t fall, allowing Indiana to escape with the win.
