Do or die for the Knicks –Game 7 at MSG By Brody Sorbera

It has been a brutal and physically trying series between two classic Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. And now it all comes down to a winner-takes-all Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Now, in this series, the home team has won every single time so this should set up for the Knicks to take this one and advance to their first Eastern Conference Final since 2000 when Pattrick Ewing was leading the team, ironically losing to the Pacers in that series. 

This has been a grueling, tough series, a throwback to the tough, physical basketball that dominated the 90s when the Knicks/Pacers rivalry was at its peak. The type of basketball fans have felt nostalgic for and a welcome release from the “3-pointer era” we have been in since 2015 when a certain team that shall remain nameless started its dynasty. With that being said, the Pacers have still stayed competitive in the series by being the better shooting team overall, with Tyrese Haliburton having an excellent playoff, taking a leadership role, and defending home, surprising everyone as most people, including myself, thought the Knicks would dominate with the wind at their sails. 

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, have looked hot and cold, specifically depending on the location. At MSG, they have looked like a tough, physical team that could bully you on defense, and while they might be the most consistent shooters, when they get into a rhythm, look out! But the injury bug has been lingering in the background all season with this team it started with losing the cornerstone, Julius Randle, back in February for the rest of the season and adding Mitchell Robinson and Bojon Bogdanovic to that list by all metrics; how this team finished this strong, enough to be a No. 2 seed in a tough Eastern Conference is close to a miracle. This is not to discount the current leaders who have stepped up to the occasion: Jalen Brunson, who needs no introduction, and Josh Hart, who leads the team in rebounds and has a solid supporting cast. 

But the Knicks are clawing their way to the finish line having to overcome so many obstacles that would break so many other teams which does bring a sense of hope to long-scorned Knicks fans who have a painful history with the team but still stay as loyal as hell.