Knicks vs. Pacers NBA East Finals Game 1: How to Watch, Key Highlights, and What's Next

Knicks vs. Pacers NBA East Finals Game 1: How to Watch, Key Highlights, and What's Next

East Finals Madness: Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1 Recap

Grab your popcorn—Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers was pure drama. With the stakes sky-high on May 21, fans at Madison Square Garden and those glued to their screens got 53 minutes of chaos. The score bounced back and forth, grit and nerves on full display, but it was the Pacers who walked away with a narrow 138-135 overtime win.

The end of regulation was a heart-pounding moment: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had the ball, clock ticking down, defenders in his face. He rattled in a clutch jumper right at the buzzer to tie the game, sending the packed crowd into a frenzy—and the contest into another five minutes of tense basketball. Overtime saw Indiana grind out a win, refusing to let the Knicks steal the spotlight at home.

How to Watch the Action and What to Expect Next

How to Watch the Action and What to Expect Next

Keen on catching the rest of the series? Even though specific TV and streaming details for Game 1 weren’t easy to track down, you can usually count on a mix of ABC, ESPN, and the NBA’s digital platforms for these marquee matchups. Cord-cutters had their share of free live stream options thanks to trials from services like Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV—a lifeline for fans wanting to catch every nail-biting second without cable.

With the Pacers now leading the series, they carried real momentum heading into Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25. Oddsmakers immediately took notice, bumping Indiana up as a 2-point favorite, and setting the over/under line at a generous 223.5 on DraftKings. For gamblers, that line hinted at another high-scoring affair.

  • Game 3 kicks off at home for the Pacers, who have a reputation for capitalizing on home-court energy.
  • The Knicks find themselves in a must-win situation, with their playoff hopes now hinging on breaking Indiana's stride.
  • Haliburton’s buzzer-beater not only made for a viral clip—it set the tone for the rest of the series.

To sum it up: the Knicks and Pacers are putting on a show unlike any other in the 2025 playoffs. So whether you’re watching live, streaming the replay, or following along with stats, keep your schedule clear. This East Finals battle is just getting started, and no one knows which way it’ll swing next.