Game ID: 22500372
New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers
Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
IND 36 26 30 21 113NYK 25 34 27 28 114
IND vs NYK ScoutingIND vs NYK Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
IND availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 10 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Que. Jackson missed 15 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 19 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Wiseman missed 20 since 10/26, out tonight
BACK Furphy back 12/03 after 14, 16 min since (89% of 18)
BACK Peter back 11/28 after 2, 5 min since (35% of 13)
BACK Dennis back 11/28 after 2, 6 min since (45% of 13)
IND availability going into 12/08 · 2 days' restOUT Nesmith missed 11 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Que. Jackson missed 16 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 20 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Wiseman missed 21 since 10/26, out tonight
BACK Furphy back 12/03 after 14, 16 min since (89% of 18)
BACK Peter back 11/28 after 2, 4 min since (29% of 13)
BACK Dennis back 11/28 after 2, 6 min since (45% of 13)
IND availability going into 12/12 · 3 days' restOUT Nesmith missed 12 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 2 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Que. Jackson missed 17 since 11/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 21 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Robinson-Earl missed 2 since 12/05, not on tonight's roster
OUT Wiseman missed 22 since 10/26, out tonight
BACK Furphy back 12/03 after 14, 14 min since (78% of 18)
IND availability going into 12/14 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 13 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 3 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Que. Jackson missed 18 since 11/05, returns tonight: 8 min (44% of 18)
OUT Toppin missed 22 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Wiseman missed 23 since 10/26, out tonight
OUT Peter missed 2 since 12/08, out tonight
BACK Furphy back 12/03 after 14, 11 min since (61% of 18)
NEW Huff 21 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Mathews 13 to 20 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Nesmith missed 14 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 4 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 23 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 2 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Wiseman missed 24 since 10/26, out tonight
OUT Peter missed 3 since 12/08, out tonight
BACK Furphy back 12/03 after 14, 12 min since (63% of 18)
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 8 min since (44% of 18)
NEW Mathews 13 to 19 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 15 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 5 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 24 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 3 since 12/12, out tonight
OUT Wiseman missed 25 since 10/26, returns tonight: 15 min (101% of 15)
OUT Peter missed 4 since 12/08, out tonight
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 18 min since (96% of 18)
NEW Huff 21 to 26 min over the last 5
IND availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Nesmith missed 16 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 6 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 25 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Jones missed 4 since 12/12, returns tonight: 1 min (4% of 17)
OUT Peter missed 5 since 12/08, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 13)
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 17 min since (95% of 18)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 15 min since (101% of 15)
IND availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT Nesmith missed 17 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 7 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 26 since 10/29, out tonight
OUT Bradley missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 3 min (25% of 11)
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 17 min since (93% of 18)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 1 min since (4% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (92% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 1 min since (5% of 13)
IND availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Nesmith missed 18 since 11/15, out tonight
OUT Sheppard missed 8 since 12/05, out tonight
OUT Toppin missed 27 since 10/29, out tonight
BACK Que. Jackson back 12/14 after 18, 15 min since (83% of 18)
BACK Jones back 12/22 after 4, 1 min since (6% of 17)
BACK Wiseman back 12/20 after 25, 13 min since (88% of 15)
BACK Peter back 12/22 after 5, 1 min since (7% of 13)
BACK Bradley back 12/23 after 2, 3 min since (25% of 11)
NYK availability going into 12/05 · 1 day's restOUT Anunoby missed 9 since 11/17, returns tonight: 23 min (68% of 33)
OUT Shamet missed 6 since 11/24, out tonight
NEW Hart 31 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW McBride 24 to 36 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 12/07 · 1 day's restOUT Shamet missed 7 since 11/24, out tonight
BACK Anunoby back 12/05 after 9, 23 min since (68% of 33)
NEW McBride 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clarkson 16 to 24 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 12/09 · 1 day's restOUT Shamet missed 8 since 11/24, out tonight
BACK Anunoby back 12/05 after 9, 25 min since (75% of 33)
NEW McBride 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Clarkson 16 to 23 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 12/13
OUT Shamet missed 9 since 11/24, tonight's box is missing
BACK Anunoby back 12/05 after 9, 29 min since (86% of 33)
NEW Clarkson 16 to 24 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 12/18 · 4 days' restOUT Shamet missed 9 since 11/24, out tonight
BACK Anunoby back 12/05 after 9, 29 min since (86% of 33)
NEW Clarkson 16 to 24 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 12/19 · back-to-backOUT McBride missed 2 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Shamet missed 10 since 11/24, out tonight
BACK Anunoby back 12/05 after 9, 30 min since (90% of 33)
NEW Clarkson 16 to 26 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT McBride missed 3 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Shamet missed 11 since 11/24, out tonight
NEW Clarkson 16 to 22 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT McBride missed 4 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Shamet missed 12 since 11/24, out tonight
NEW Bridges 33 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Clarkson 16 to 22 min over the last 4
NEW Kolek 11 to 18 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT McBride missed 5 since 12/09, out tonight
OUT Shamet missed 13 since 11/24, out tonight
NEW Bridges 33 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Hart 31 to 37 min over the last 3
NEW Robinson 18 to 25 min over the last 3
NEW Clarkson 16 to 23 min over the last 4
NEW Kolek 11 to 24 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Mathurin at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Nesmith (14 straight), Sheppard (4 straight), Toppin (23 straight). 3 days' rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 28 and Towns at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Shamet (9 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-4 a night and Indiana minus-8. Call it New York 117, Indiana 111.
12/05 @ CHI 120-105 — IND notes
IND won 120-105. IND shot 54% (45 of 84) to CHI's 44%, 18 of 39 from three, and got to the line 16 times to CHI's 29. IND turned it over 13 times to CHI's 18. The glass went 35-46 against them. Siakam led with 36 (13 of 24, 5 of 7 from three, 5 of 7 at the line); Mathurin added 28, Nembhard 15. The hinge was Q2, 32-24: IND came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 5, and the lead reached 19. Thompson was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
12/08 vs SAC 116-105 — IND notes
IND won 116-105. IND shot 44% (38 of 87) to SAC's 47%, 14 of 35 from three. IND turned it over 13 times to SAC's 19. The glass went 41-51 against them. Nembhard led with 28 (10 of 18, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Mathurin added 25, Siakam 23. The hinge was Q1, 35-23: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 19. Siakam was the night's best plus/minus at +14.
12/12 @ PHI 105-115 — IND notes
IND lost 105-115. IND took 17 more shots (96 to 79), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to PHI's 44%, 13 of 38 from three, and got to the line 19 times to PHI's 43. IND turned it over 7 times to PHI's 12. Siakam led with 20 (8 of 18, 1 of 3 from three); Nembhard added 18, McConnell 15. Q3 was theirs, 32-27, the deficit cut from 5 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 88-73 against them. Nembhard's -25 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/14 vs WAS 89-108 — IND notes
IND lost 89-108. IND shot 37% (31 of 84) to WAS's 46%, 10 of 39 from three. The glass went 41-56 against them. Mathurin led with 15 (3 of 9, 1 of 5 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Huff added 13, Walker 12. Q1 was theirs, 32-31, but the other 3 periods went 77-57 against them. Nembhard's -26 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/18 vs NYK 113-114 — IND notes
IND lost 113-114. IND shot 46% (43 of 93) to NYK's 47%, 11 of 34 from three. Nembhard led with 31 (12 of 19, 4 of 5 from three); Siakam added 26, Mathurin 16. Q1 was theirs, 36-25, but the other 3 periods went 89-77 against them. They led by as many as 16.
12/20 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 33 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murphy III at 25 and Bey at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Jordan (24 straight), Peavy (2 straight). One day's rest. Indiana comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Siakam at 23 and Nembhard at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (15 straight), Sheppard (5 straight), Toppin (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, Indiana allowing 109 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-2 a night and Indiana minus-7. Call it New Orleans 118, Indiana 115, Indiana keeping it close.
12/22 @ BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 111, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Brown at 31 and White at 23 a game. One day's rest. Indiana comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 42 percent and 30 from three, 23 free throws a game; Siakam at 20 and Nembhard at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Nesmith (16 straight), Sheppard (6 straight), Toppin (25 straight). One day's rest.
So: Boston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-3 a night and Indiana minus-6 and the arc, Boston at 35 percent from three to Indiana's 30. Call it Boston 117, Indiana 108.
12/23 vs MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 114, shooting 41 percent and 28 from three, 21 free throws a game; Siakam at 21 and Nembhard at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (17 straight), Sheppard (7 straight), Toppin (26 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Milwaukee comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 20 and Kuzma at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Gia. Antetokounmpo (6 straight), Prince (21 straight), Nance (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Indiana wins, and the game turns on the arc, Milwaukee at 35 percent from three to Indiana's 28 and the turnovers, Milwaukee giving it away 16 times a game to Indiana's 11. Call it Indiana 112, Milwaukee 111, Milwaukee keeping it close.
12/26 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Indiana comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 113, shooting 41 percent and 27 from three, 24 free throws a game; Siakam at 20 and Nembhard at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Nesmith (18 straight), Sheppard (8 straight), Toppin (27 straight). 2 days' rest. Boston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 107, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brown at 31 and White at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. 3 days' rest.
So: Boston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-5 a night and Indiana minus-7 and the arc, Boston at 33 percent from three to Indiana's 27. Call it Boston 113, Indiana 108.
12/05 vs UTA 146-112 — NYK notes
NYK won 146-112. NYK shot 56% (51 of 91) to UTA's 40%, 21 of 42 from three, and got to the line 26 times to UTA's 35. Brunson led with 33 (9 of 17, 6 of 9 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); McBride added 22, Towns 18. The hinge was Q1, 41-13: from level to 28 ahead, and the lead reached 41. Brunson was the night's best plus/minus at +37.
12/07 vs ORL 106-100 — NYK notes
NYK won 106-100. NYK shot 43% (39 of 91) to ORL's 38%, 11 of 35 from three. Brunson led with 30 (10 of 23, 1 of 7 from three, 9 of 12 at the line); Anunoby added 21, Hart 17. The hinge was Q3, 28-18: NYK came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 9, and the lead reached 16. NYK trailed 54-55 at the half and won the second half 52-45. Anunoby was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
12/09 @ TOR 117-101 — NYK notes
NYK won 117-101. NYK shot 52% (42 of 80) to TOR's 43%, 16 of 35 from three, and went to the line 28 times to TOR's 18 — 17 points from the stripe to their 12. The glass went 48-37 for them. Brunson led with 35 (13 of 19, 6 of 9 from three); Hart added 21, Bridges 15. The hinge was Q2, 34-13: NYK came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 17, and the lead reached 24. Towns was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/18 @ IND 114-113 — NYK notes
NYK won 114-113. NYK shot 47% (43 of 92) to IND's 46%, 17 of 43 from three. Brunson led with 25 (10 of 23, 3 of 8 from three); Bridges added 22, Clarkson 18. The hinge was Q2, 34-26: the deficit went from 11 to 3. NYK trailed 59-62 at the half and won the second half 55-51.
12/19 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 30 and Towns at 22 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without McBride (2 straight), Shamet (10 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 107, shooting 41 percent and 36 from three, 27 free throws a game; Maxey at 25 and George at 22 a game. Without Maxey (2 straight), Oubre Jr. (13 straight), Bona (3 straight). 4 days' rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 40 percent from three to Philadelphia's 36. Call it New York 116, Philadelphia 111.
12/21 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Brunson at 29 and Towns at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McBride (3 straight), Shamet (11 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 115, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Powell at 20 and Jaquez Jr. at 16 a game. Without Herro (3 straight), Larsson (3 straight), Jović (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Miami minus-2 and the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to Miami's 31. Call it New York 119, Miami 110.
12/23 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 30 free throws a game; Randle at 21 and DiVincenzo at 18 a game. One day's rest. New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and Bridges at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without McBride (4 straight), Shamet (12 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, New York at 39 percent from three to Minnesota's 32 and the line, where Minnesota takes 30 free throws a game to New York's 23. Call it Minnesota 115, New York 113, New York keeping it close.
12/25 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and Towns at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without McBride (5 straight), Shamet (13 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 126, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Garland at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Mobley (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-6 a night and Cleveland minus-4 and the defense, New York allowing 114 a night to Cleveland's 126. Call it New York 121, Cleveland 117, Cleveland keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
INDAN A. Nembhard
BM B. Mathurin
ET E. Thompson
GM G. Mathews
IJ I. Jackson
JF J. Furphy
JH J. Huff
JW J. Walker
PS P. Siakam
QJ Q. Jackson
TB T. Bradley
TM T. McConnell
NYKAH A. Hukporti
GY G. Yabusele
JB J. Brunson
JC J. Clarkson
MB M. Bridges
MD M. Diawara
OA O. Anunoby
PD P. Dadiet
TJ T. Jemison III
TK T. Kolek
IND/NYK the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jalen Brunson's late 3-pointer, OG Anunoby's steal helps short-handed Knicks beat Pacers 114-113
INDIANAPOLIS -- — Jalen Brunson made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left and scored 25 points, OG Anunoby stole the ensuing inbounds pass and the New York Knicks rallied for a 114-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
Brunson also had seven rebounds and seven assists as the Knicks extended their winning streak to seven games. Mikal Bridges added 22 points and eight rebounds and Tyler Kolek had 16 points and 11 assists, both career highs, on a night the NBA Cup champions were short-handed and fell into an early 16-point hole.
Andrew Nembhard finished with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting. He was also 4 of 5 on 3-pointers. Pascal Siakam had 26 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Bennedict Mathurin finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
The defending Eastern Conference champions lost their third straight since coach Rick Carlisle won his 999th game. He needs one more to become the 11th member of the exclusive 1,000-win club and the first since then-Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers in November 2021.
In this season's first matchup between last season's two Eastern Conference finalists, both teams were missing multiple key players.
The Knicks played without centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson , along with guards Josh Hart , Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet . Indiana still has four injured players out: guards Tyrese Haliburton and Ben Sheppard , and forwards Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin .
And New York spent most of the night playing catch-up after falling into an early 28-12 deficit.
Down 28-12, the Knicks closed to 62-59 at the half only to fall behind 83-68 late in the third quarter. They fought back again to take a 95-94 lead on Kolek's 17-footer with 8:41 to go.
Indiana broke away from a 99-all tie with a 10-3 run, but the Knicks tied it at 111 on Anunoby's 3-pointer with 1:51 to play.
Up next Knicks: Hosts Philadelphia on Friday.
Pacers: Begins a two-game road trip Monday in Boston.