In a game of swings and nerves, the New York Knicks found the final answer. Jalen Brunson buried a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left, and OG Anunoby stole the inbounds pass seconds later, delivering a 114–113 road win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was a poised finish by a short-handed Knicks group, and it stretched their winning streak to seven.

This was not a smooth ride. New York trailed by 16 early, fell behind by 15 again late in the third, and still had the focus to close. When the game begged for control, Brunson and Anunoby stepped forward. That is what strong teams do in December when the legs are heavy and the building is loud.

Clutch sequence: Brunson’s 3 and Anunoby’s steal

The night will be remembered for two plays. First, Brunson’s deep 3 over a set Pacers defense put New York in front in the final seconds. Then, before Indiana could even launch a response, Anunoby jumped the inbounds passing lane and snatched the ball, ending the contest on the spot. Two stars, two reads, one road win.

Brunson finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. He set the pace and took what the defense gave. That last shot was not rushed. It was the product of a calm screen, a clean rise, and the belief he has built in this seven-game run.

“Brunson broke their heart, OG took their soul.”

Game of runs: Knicks climb out of two deep holes

Indiana punched first. The Pacers shot out to a 28–12 lead, moving the ball and getting clean looks. The Knicks steadied and cut it to 62–59 at halftime. But the Pacers surged again, stretching it to 83–68 late in the third. Many teams fade there, especially on the road. New York did not.

The Knicks kept stacking stops and smart possessions. They worked the clock, attacked mismatches, and moved the ball. The payoff came early in the fourth: a 17-foot jumper by guard Tyler Kolek put New York ahead 95–94 with 8:41 to play. It was a simple shot off a hard dribble. It was also a sign that this bench group trusts its reads and its touch.

That lead would not hold for long in a game this tight, but the message was clear. The Knicks’ response game is real. They do not panic when the scoreboard turns.

Kolek’s career night, Bridges’ all-around lift

Kolek’s line jumps off the page: 16 points and 11 assists, both career highs. He balanced pace and patience, got into the paint, and hit that key mid-range shot during the fourth-quarter push. For a backcourt already fueled by Brunson, those extra playmaking touches matter. They give New York another way to control tempo when the first action is covered.

Mikal Bridges added 22 points and eight rebounds. He was steady in space, chased rebounds in traffic, and offered timely scoring when Indiana trapped Brunson. It was the kind of two-way game that helps you win on the margins. Together, Brunson, Bridges, and Kolek formed a trio that handled the moment.

“Kolek looks like he belongs in crunch time.”

Pacers’ stars shine, but late execution slips

This was also a strong night for Indiana’s guards and wings. Andrew Nembhard was outstanding with 31 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. He broke down switches and finished plays. Pascal Siakam added 26 points, six rebounds, and five assists, playing through contact and keeping pressure on the rim. Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds, bringing juice on both ends.

Yet the final moments will sting. After Brunson’s 3, the Pacers needed a clean inbound to set up a last shot. They never got it. Anunoby’s steal closed the door and turned a one-point edge into a 7-0 Knicks streak in the win column. In the NBA, late-game details are everything. A single pass can flip the story.

The loss was Indiana’s third straight since head coach Rick Carlisle notched his 999th win. The Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, remain one victory short of pushing their coach to a landmark 1,000. That number is coming. But this night was about the fine line between celebration and frustration.

“Carlisle stuck at 999 — is Indy tightening up late?”

What the win says about the Knicks’ arc

Seven straight wins do not happen by accident, especially on the road, and especially when you are short-handed. The Knicks won this by refusing to let early trouble set the tone. They protected the ball under pressure. They trusted more than one handler. And they got the exact defensive play they needed from Anunoby when the game hung in the balance.

Brunson remains the steady heart of this team. Bridges’ production on both ends is a quiet anchor. And Kolek’s growth adds a new layer to the rotation. This combination gives New York more ways to close a tight game than it had even a few weeks ago.

For the Pacers: a reminder and a roadmap

The Pacers can take positives from the scoring nights by Nembhard and Siakam. The offense found good flow for long stretches, enough to build two double-digit leads. But the late-game tape will matter more. Cleaning up inbounds spacing, securing the first outlet, and finishing possessions on defense are the small pieces that decide one-possession games.

With Carlisle still on 999 wins, the next step is simple: stop the bleeding, settle late, and get the milestone in the right way. The East is tight. Slipping on the details gives away wins you often can’t get back in April.

Bottom line

New York left Indianapolis with a one-point win, a seven-game streak, and even more belief. Brunson’s shot and Anunoby’s steal will headline the highlights, but the story runs deeper: the Knicks took Indiana’s best punches and kept coming. On the road, against the defending conference champs, that is the sort of victory that travels.

If these teams see each other again in a big spot, remember this finish. One shot, one steal, and a clear message: the Knicks know how to close.