Nembhard Hits Game Winner in Game Three

Game Three started with lots of questions surrounding the New York Knicks as star Jalen Brunson was playing through a foot injury. On top of that, Knicks forward OG Anunoby was also ruled out prior to the game. This created playing time for players who don't reach the floor usually. These injuries showed early, greatly impacting the play as by the end of the first quarter it was 29-20 Pacers. Brunson was only able to score two points in the first quarter. Yet even with that Donte DiVincenzo was on fire keeping the Knicks in the game all first half and shooting the lights out. 

For the Pacers from the start, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton seemed to be perfectly in sync on the other end. Haliburton hit multiple three-pointers in the first and kept his hot shooting going through halftime amassing 23 points and five three-point makes. Yet even with the Knicks hobbled and impressive shooting by the Pacers. The Knicks managed to stick around through gritty play. At halftime, the game was 63-58 Pacers, with both teams shooting exactly 54% from the field. The second half coming up had lots in store.

Quarter three was highlighted by many runs from both teams. Yet the best quarter of DiVincenzo’s entire career fueled the Knicks. He scored 17 points to change what was a five-point deficit for the Knicks at halftime into a five-point lead going into the fourth. After a 24-8 run to end the third. In the fourth quarter, much of the same continued for the Knicks early yet the Pacers refused to be put away. This game came down to the final seconds as Andrew Nembhard hit the biggest and farthest shot of his career with 17 seconds left to hoist the Pacers to victory. The next game will also be in Indiana where the Pacers will look to even the series.