Why the Pacers faded late in Game 1 loss to Knicks (Patreon)

By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper

In a surprise twist, the Pacers faded late against the New York Knicks with contributions from the bench only taking them so far when the starting lineups for both teams were back on the floor for the final seven minutes of the game. Put simply, rather than gaining steam, the Pacers ended up losing momentum, which was sapped by a combination of missed calls, late-game miscues, and whatever is leading the team's star to miss all of the shots that he doesn't take. That said, in spite of those errors, the Pacers still gave themselves a chance to win even though they got outscored in fast-break points and from three.

In that regard, maybe the only thing that can be known about the Pacers is that nothing can be known about the Pacers? Still, Samson Folk is back once again, joining to discuss the good, the bad, and yes, even the controversial from the Game 1 loss.

Here are the relevant timestamps:

0:00 - Introductions

0:25 - Did the refs cost the Pacers the game?

6:21 - Tyrese Haliburton's low shot volume

19:45 - Better option: optimizing the spacing around Tyrese or playing more through Siakam?

25:15 - Siakam being defended by his old teammate, O.G. Anunoby

30:29 - Josh Hart giving the Pacers h(e)artburn

32:53 - Isaiah Jackson's impact at back-up five

37:14 - The overall battle of the frontcourts

38:45 - Obi Toppin playing at the three-spot

40:25 - The most guaranteed play in Pacers basketball + thoughts on play-call gamesmanship

47:23 - Why containment doesn't contain Jalen Brunson

55:03 - Game 1 exit survey

57:28 - Thank you and Goodbye!