Mike Brown Explains Final Play After Knicks’ Narrow Loss to Pacers

Mike Brown wasn’t putting the New York Knicks’ loss on Karl-Anthony Towns’ final jumper.

The Knicks fell 106-104 to the Indiana Pacers on Friday after Towns missed an opportunity to force overtime. New York dropped to 6-6 overall and 0-2 in NBA Cup group play, while Indiana improved to 5-8.

Brown’s frustration centered on the basketball that preceded the final possession. A late comeback gave the Knicks a chance to escape, but it did not erase the problems that had placed them behind.

“That play did not cost us the game,” Brown said. “It’s all a recipe for a loss. And that’s where I’m disappointed.”

New York gained possession with 2.8 seconds remaining after an Indiana turnover, creating one final opportunity to tie the score. Brown went to an action involving Towns rather than having Jalen Brunson take the last shot.

Brown explained that the Knicks had practiced the play and believed a screening action could generate an advantage. Towns also expressed confidence in the opportunity, despite the unsuccessful result.

The distinction matters when evaluating the finish. A missed shot can come from a reasonable decision, just as a made basket can conceal problems with the possessions that came before it.

New York needed only two points to extend the game. Getting Towns an opportunity within that requirement gave the Knicks a chance, even though the final attempt failed to fall.

The larger concern is how often the Knicks required a comeback. Leaving a road game dependent on one jumper puts considerable weight on a single possession, regardless of who takes the shot.

Brunson finished with 33 points and 11 assists, while Towns recorded 23 points and 15 rebounds. Mikal Bridges added 18 points for New York.

Indiana received 19 points from Pascal Siakam and 18 from Aaron Nesmith. The Pacers also held a 50-43 rebounding advantage, helping them survive despite New York’s late push.

Those individual performances gave the Knicks enough offense to remain competitive. They did not provide the consistent control needed to prevent Indiana from building separation.

Brown’s assessment pointed to losing the possession battle, allowing penetration and failing to match Indiana’s physicality. Those are problems that demand a collective response, including stronger work before a shot goes up and greater commitment to finishing defensive possessions.

A comeback demonstrates the ability to respond under pressure. It becomes less reassuring when the same team repeatedly needs to recover from stretches that could have been managed earlier.

The practical lesson from Friday reaches beyond the final play call. New York needs to give itself more opportunities to win before the closing seconds arrive.

That starts with limiting the advantages opponents create through penetration and extra possessions. Better initial defense has to be followed by securing the ball, allowing the Knicks to turn a stop into an offensive opportunity.

Brown defended the chance his team created at the buzzer. His broader message was that the Knicks needed to do more with everything that came before it.