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Knicks’ grades from their painful 138-135 Game 1 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden:
Jalen Brunson, B+
Was dominant offensively for important spurts and finished with a game-high 43 points. But was also plagued by foul trouble and missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the end of OT. The good news moving forward is the Pacers don’t seem to have a good answer for Brunson’s craftiness with the rock. That’s a small consolation after the choke job in Game 1.
Mikal Bridges looks to make a pass over two Pacers defenders during the Knicks’ 138-135 Game 1 overtime loss on May 21, 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post
Karl-Anthony Towns, B-
Came out aggressive and poured in 35 points with 12 rebounds. Every game for the rest of the playoffs is the biggest of Towns’ Knicks career, and he started out hot in Game 1 while hammering the Pacers with his versatility. But like his teammates, Towns missed the biggest free throw that could’ve put the game away in regulation and a potential tying trey in OT.
Mikal Bridges, D
Was the primary defender on Tyrese Haliburton, who went off for 31 points and 11 assists. Took only one 3-pointer and flubbed his two free-throw attempts. Disappeared down the stretch.
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