The New YorkKnicks suffered their worst playoff loss since 2012 Sunday afternoon, a 32-point rout against the IndianaPacers in Game 4 of their second-round series.
The Pacers were the more energized team from the opening tip. They jumped out to a 23-point lead in the first quarter and led by as much as 43 points in a win that tied the series 2-2 ahead of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have been hit with injuries all season, a point that has been repeated ad nauseam during their postseason run. Their latest injury could be the most difficult to overcome.
With OG Anunoby sidelined, the Knicks are now 13-17 straight up and against the spread since being traded to the Knicks. When he's in the lineup, the Knicks are 26-5 straight up and 20-11 against the spread.
Since trading for OG Anunoby the Knicks are:
26-5 SU and 20-11 ATS with OG
13-17 SU and ATS without OG pic.twitter.com/DiRI2jy0HG
— Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) May 12, 2024
Despite that record, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn't allow the narrative that Anunoby's injury was the reason for Sunday's loss. "It's not just OG," Thibodeau said after Game 5. "OG was out for a good chunk of the season, so that's no excuse. Just get it done."
Before Sunday's game, Thibodeau said Anunoby hasn't been doing any running as he rehabs his hamstring injury, "just pool work."
Anunoby missed both games in Indiana, which put added pressure on an already tight rotation. Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson have played the most and second-most minutes in the NBA Playoffs this year with 441 minutes and 407 through 10 games. No other players in the NBA have reached 400 minutes this postseason.
While the outcome of Game 5 will likely swing the series, Sunday's game has already shifted the series odds in Indiana's favor. The Knicks were -450 favorites with a 2-0 lead in the series entering Game 3, and the Pacers were +350 at BetMGM. After back-to-back wins, the Pacers are now -140 to win the series, and the Knicks are listed as +115 underdogs.
