The Indiana Pacers travel to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night to face the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference matchup that features two teams heading in very different directions. While New York continues to build momentum with a recent winning streak and strong defensive performances, Indiana enters the game struggling badly, carrying a long losing run and dealing with several injuries across the roster.
The Knicks have been solid at home this season and are among the better defensive teams in the league in recent weeks. Their balanced lineup, led by Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, has helped them maintain a playoff position in the Eastern Conference standings. Even though star guard Jalen Brunson may miss the game due to injury concerns, New York still has enough depth to control the matchup.
Indiana, meanwhile, has endured a difficult season. Injuries to key players and inconsistent offensive production have pushed the Pacers toward the bottom of the conference standings. The team is currently on a long losing streak and has struggled particularly on the road. With several players listed as questionable or doubtful, Indiana may once again rely heavily on bench players and young contributors.
Because of these circumstances, this matchup appears heavily tilted in favor of the Knicks. However, factors such as potential lineup changes and the Knicks possibly slowing the tempo could influence how the game unfolds.
Match Information
| Match | Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM ET |
| Venue | Madison Square Garden |
| Location | New York, USA |
| TV Broadcast | MSG, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana |
Team Records
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 44–25 |
| Indiana Pacers | 15–53 |
The Knicks remain in the playoff race in the East, while the Pacers sit near the bottom of the conference standings.
Pacers vs Knicks Preview
New York has looked stronger in recent games. The team recently defeated the Golden State Warriors and also secured a road win against Indiana earlier this week. Their defensive structure and ability to control the game tempo have played a major role in these results.
Indiana, on the other hand, has struggled throughout the season. Injuries to several key players have forced the coaching staff to rely on deeper rotations. This has made it difficult for the Pacers to maintain consistency on offense or defense.
The Knicks also hold the advantage in rebounding and interior scoring, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns controlling the paint. Meanwhile, OG Anunoby continues to provide scoring and defensive support on the wings.
Recent Form
New York Knicks Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | Warriors | W 110–107 |
| Mar 14 | Pacers | W 101–92 |
| Mar 12 | Jazz | W 134–117 |
| Mar 10 | Clippers | L 118–126 |
| Mar 9 | Lakers | L 97–110 |
New York has won three straight games and appears to be regaining momentum as the season progresses.
Indiana Pacers Last 5 Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | Bucks | L 123–134 |
| Mar 14 | Knicks | L 92–101 |
| Mar 13 | Suns | L 108–123 |
| Mar 11 | Kings | L 109–114 |
| Mar 9 | Trail Blazers | L 111–131 |
The Pacers have lost multiple games in a row and have struggled defensively during this stretch.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Overall Meetings | Knicks lead historically |
| 2025-26 Season Series | Knicks lead 2-1 |
| Last Match | Knicks won 101-92 |
New York recently defeated Indiana in their previous meeting, showing strong defensive control in that game.
Also see: Tristan da Silva Injury Update: Orlando Magic Forward’s Role, Form and Game Situation Explained
Injury Report
Indiana Pacers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Tyrese Haliburton | Out |
| Pascal Siakam | Doubtful |
| T.J. McConnell | Questionable |
| Andrew Nembhard | Questionable |
| Aaron Nesmith | Questionable |
| Obi Toppin | Questionable |
| Ivica Zubac | Questionable |
| Several bench players | Questionable |
Indiana is dealing with several injuries, which has heavily impacted their lineup stability.
New York Knicks
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | Doubtful |
| Miles McBride | Out |
| Mitchell Robinson | Questionable |
Even with Brunson possibly missing the game, the Knicks still have multiple scoring options.
Probable Starting Lineups
New York Knicks
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Jalen Brunson* |
| SG | Mikal Bridges |
| SF | Josh Hart |
| PF | OG Anunoby |
| C | Karl-Anthony Towns |
*Brunson may miss the game due to injury.
Indiana Pacers
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Jones |
| SG | Thompson |
| SF | Brown |
| PF | Walker |
| C | Ivica Zubac |
Key Players to Watch
New York Knicks
| Player | Impact |
|---|---|
| OG Anunoby | Two-way scoring and defense |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Elite rebounding presence |
| Mikal Bridges | Reliable wing scoring |
Anunoby has been scoring consistently this month and could see increased usage if Brunson sits.
Indiana Pacers
| Player | Impact |
|---|---|
| Ivica Zubac | Interior defense and rebounding |
| Jarace Walker | Frontcourt support |
| Young bench players | Additional minutes due to injuries |
Indiana’s offensive output will depend heavily on role players.
Team Performance Comparison
| Category | Knicks | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 117.1 | Lower scoring |
| Points Allowed | 111.7 | High defensive concessions |
| Three-Point % | 37.2% | 34.9% |
| Home Record | Strong | Weak road record |
The Knicks hold the clear advantage in both offense and defensive stability.
Pacers vs Knicks Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Knicks -14.5 |
| Spread | Pacers +14.5 |
| Moneyline | Knicks -900 |
| Moneyline | Pacers +600 |
| Total | 221.5 |
The large spread reflects the difference in form and roster strength between the teams.
Best Player Prop Pick
| Player | Prop Pick |
|---|---|
| OG Anunoby | Over 22.5 Points + Rebounds |
Anunoby has been productive recently and could take on more offensive responsibility.
Best Picks for the Game
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Knicks -14.5 |
| Total | Under 222.5 |
| Player Prop | Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 Rebounds |
The Knicks’ defense and Indiana’s injury problems suggest a slower, lower-scoring contest.
Predicted Score
| Team | Predicted Score |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | 112 |
| Indiana Pacers | 98 |
Final Prediction
The New York Knicks enter this matchup with far better form and roster stability than the Indiana Pacers. Their strong defensive play and depth across multiple positions should allow them to control the tempo and dominate key areas such as rebounding and paint scoring.
Indiana’s long losing streak and extensive injury list make it difficult for the team to compete at full strength. Unless the Pacers receive unexpected contributions from role players, they may struggle to keep pace with the Knicks.
Expect New York to take control early, maintain defensive pressure throughout the game, and secure another comfortable home victory at Madison Square Garden.
