The New York Knicks’ hope of repeating as NBA Cup Champions took a major hit on Friday night when they lost to the Indiana Pacers, 106-104.

Though the Pacers didn’t have Tyrese Haliburton, they got contributions from all five starters, as every starter was in double figures. Pascal Siakam led the way with 19 points. Aaron Nesmith had 18, Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16, and Ivica Zubac and Andrew Nembhard had 12 each.

The Knicks got 33 points from Jalen Brunson, 23 points and 15 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns, and18 points from Mikal Bridges, but it wasn’t enough.

The loss dropped the Knicks to 0-2 in the NBA Cup, putting them last in East Group B. They previously lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 98-93.

The Miami Heat are at the top of East Group B with a 2-0 record. They are followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 76ers, and Pacers, all of whom are 1-1. The Cavaliers have the best point differential of those four teams at +12.

Despite being 0-2, the Knicks have a better point differential than the 76ers and Pacers. They are -7, while the 76ers are -19 and the Pacers are -18.

The Knicks have remaining home games against the Cavaliers and Heat on November 25 and November 27. They have yet to face Miami this season and are already 1-1 against the Cavaliers.

They have to win both games, and they have to do it by a big margin. They’re also going to need a lot of breaks.

The best they can finish is 2-2. They would need to beat Miami and see Miami lose to Philadelphia on November 25 to tie in the record. Miami has a +39 point differential advantage at the moment.

The Knicks would also need a Cavs win over the Pacers and a Pacers win over the 76ers.

This would put all five teams at 2-2, meaning it would come down to point differential. The Knicks are well behind in that area, but there would be hope.

They could end up with the wild card spot, which is awarded to the top second-place team in the three groups, but that’s going to require even more help, including the Detroit Pistons losing home games against the Milwaukee Bucks and banged-up Toronto Raptors.

Simply put, there is a chance for the Knicks to somehow get back to the Knockout Stage of the NBA Cup, but not only are they going to need a lot of help from other teams, but they are also going to have to help themselves. The Knicks are not just 0-2 in NBA Cup play; they are 6-6 on the season. The NBA Cup is the least of their worries right now.