As WNBA star Caitlin Clark watched on from the stands, she saw her new city of Indianapolis celebrating as the Indiana Pacers put up a resounding come-from-behind victory to notch their first win in the series against the New York Knicks.
Clark, who was picked first overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft, hoped to be a good luck charm as she watched alongside her boyfriend and Pacers employee Connor McCaffery.
After trailing to start the fourth quarter, Indiana was able to spark a comeback to win 111-106 and make it a 2-1 series.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way for Indiana with 35 points as Myles Turner, Aaron Nesmith, and Pascal Siakam also turned in double-digit performances.
As for the Knicks, guard Donte DiVincenzo dropped an astounding 35 points as a hobbled Jalen Brunson shot 10-26 for 26 points.
Caitlin Clark proved to be a good luck charm as the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks
Tyrese Haliburton led with 35 points as the Pacers avoided going down 3-0 in the series
With the shot clock winding down, Andrew Nembhard (2) hit the go-ahead triple to win it
Brunson sank a 3-pointer to forge a 106-106 tie before Nembhard drained a step-back 3-pointer from well behind the arc as the shot clock wound down.
With 17.8 seconds remaining in the game, Andrew Nembhard hit a dagger triple to go up 109-106. Nembhard was 1-for-7 from the floor prior to that basket.
On the ensuing possession, Brunson missed a wild shot from 3-point range to turn the ball over and two free throws secured the win for Indiana.
Miles McBride drained a 3-pointer to stake New York to a 98-89 lead before Haliburton scored seven straight points as part of a 13-3 Indiana run.
Siakam converted a three-point play and three free throws to give the Pacers a 102-101 advantage with 3:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
In the third quarter, Haliburton sank a 3-pointer and Siakam did the same before adding a mid-range jumper to give the Pacers a 77-66 lead.
New York halted the momentum with a 24-6 run, highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers and a three-point play from DiVincenzo. Hart went coast to coast for a layup to cap a 10-0 run by the Knicks.
Earlier on Friday, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle was fined $35,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing the officiating and questioning the integrity of the league following Game 2.
